“At last count, we had about 250 signed up,” said Jo Gatley, a coordinator of the project along with Jan Coffee. “As much as possible, we would like for the project to be all women. But I know that is not altogether possible.”

        The project is part of the national Women Building a Legacy program, which encourages women to build safe and healthy housing and directly affects the lives of children involved, Ms. Gatley said.

        The group had a kickoff ceremony July 14 at 6805 East Fork Road, Madisonville, the site of the first house. The houses will be built for Katherine Cummings and Nina Meadows who will work on the project alongside the other women to put in the required 500 hours of “sweat equity labor.”

        The second house will be built at 4937 Muchmore Ave., adjacent to the other lot.

        “We have laid the foundations in both houses,” said J.T. Mackey, public relations coordinator for the coalition. “I would say that 80 percent of the work will be done by women.”

        Royal Neighbors of America, The Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Trust of Fifth Third Bank and Eastminster Presbyterian Church of Madisonville are providing the major funding for the $148,000 project.

        Ms. Meadows operates a day-care center for five children, ages 10 months to 10 years. She is the mother of two children; Malayia, 7, and Malik, 9 months. She attends Raymond Walters College, studying for a degree in medical transcription.

        Ms. Cummings is a social worker. She has a 7-year-old son, Christopher. She is active with the Madisonville Community Council. She has been instrumental in securing donations, professional electricians and a carpenter to help with her house.

        Mr. Mackey said Women Building a Legacy is an 18-month program of Habitat for Humanity International. It empowers women to address the crisis of substandard housing and adds to the more than 300 Habitat houses built by women since 1991.

        This year, 3,000 volunteers are constructing 17 houses in eight Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods with churches and area businesses co-sponsoring the projects.

        The Mid-Miami Valley Leadership Class of 2001 will donate $5,000 to the Butler County Association of Retarded Citizens, money the group raised in a Golf Tournament at the Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown.

        SK Construction Co., Greg Martin Excavating Inc. and River Valley Credit Union were sponsors.

        The golf outing drew 32 foursomes from the Mid-Miami Valley area.

        Butler County Association of Retarded Citizens is a nonprofit, voluntary organization that promotes well-being for people with developmental disabilities of all ages.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, e-mail ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

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