Habitat to Build Home in Honor of Bill and Cyndy Bernart

Habitat is proud to announce we are getting ready to build a new Habitat home in honor of Bill and Cyndy Bernart. The public Ground Breaking ceremony was held on Sunday, March 22nd.  There was music and refreshments, and Bill and Cyndy were there to join in the fun. The house will be built at the intersection of Seaside Road and Racetrack Road in Melfa.

When the Eastern Shore of Virginia Habitat for Humanity was formed at the end of 1988, among the earliest volunteers was Dr. William (Bill) Bernart and his wife Cynthia (Cyndy). Bill was a physician and well loved in the community, and became interested in the work of the newly formed affiliate.  According to his words “During our decades on the Eastern Shore, we both became acutely aware of the need for decent housing among a significant number of our citizens. We heard stories of leaking roofs, crowded dwellings, many without indoor plumbing. Studies indicate that home ownership develops self-esteem, improves the family’s health, and provides the community with responsible, tax-paying neighbors.”

Throughout their years on the Eastern Shore, Bill and Cyndy became a vital part of the Habitat cadre of volunteers. Bill served as President of the Board of Directors from 1998 through 1999 and has served on many committees. He was instrumental in inviting work camps to come to help from all over the country and served as chair of the committee to make all the arrangements for their visits. He actively helped to build several early Habitat homes and both he and Cyndy worked tirelessly with homeowners and volunteers alike to continue to fight sub-standard housing in our communities one family at a time. They have single handedly recruited volunteers, donors and even staff members of Habitat, many of whom continue their work with Habitat today.

At the end of 2008 Bill and Cyndy moved to Raleigh, NC to be closer to some of their children and grandchildren. We miss them greatly and want to honor them for all they have done for the Eastern Shore through Habitat for Humanity.

We would like to ask anyone who reads this article, or has been touched in any way by the Bernarts, to contribute $10 or more to build this home.  Checks should be made payable to the ES of VA Habitat for Humanity and mailed to P O Box 1299, Exmore, VA 23350. When the home is completed, Bill and Cyndy will receive a booklet with the names of all those who contributed to this project. Bill and Cyndy will be on hand to celebrate some of the special moments and see the newest Habitat family as they prepare to occupy the Bill and Cyndy Bernart home.

“Cynthia and I are pleased to support this building project and we applaud the continuing ‘good works’ of Habitat for Humanity on the Eastern Shore.”  Bill Bernart.