First Ladies Build Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County , All Women Blitz

For Immediate Release June 23, 1999

Contact:  Melissa Forsythe , Governor's Communications Office or
Karri Sandino (502) 564-7630, ext. 415

        First Lady Judi Patton and volunteers from around the state will grab saws and hammers and help the Frankfort/Franklin County Habitat for Humanity affiliate make home ownership a reality for a Frankfort family . It's part of the nationwide 1999 First Ladies Build program, where all women construction crews are building homes through September 2000.

        "Right around the corner, down the street, across town, there are families in need of safe, decent housing," Mrs. Patton said.  "I am proud and honored to be a part of the this project that will help one of our neighbors into a home of her own." Former First Lady Libby Jones , who serves on the Habitat for Humanity International Steering Committee for Women Builds, will join the construction crew.

        Ground breaking ceremonies for the house for Martha Barnes and her two young sons will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 9, in the 100 block of Douglas Avenue, at the corner of College Street and Douglas.   Work on the house will begin Saturday, July 31 and runs through Friday, August 6.

        "This event is proving to be a catalyst of excitement for the affiliate, the city and the Barnes family," Yvonne Hill, president of the Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County Board, "We are proud to have Mrs. Patton working beside us and look forward to giving Martha the key to her new home." (MORE)

         Local businesses, manufacturers and individuals interested in offering donations or in helping with Habitat projects can call Yvonne Hill, 223-8627.  For information about the build, contact Karri Sandino, 564-7630, extension 415; for volunteer information, call Melissa Darnell, (502) 223-1834.

        Patton is no stranger to Habitat builds.  Her resume includes working with former First Lady Roselyn Carter and First Lady Hillary Clinton during the 1997 Jimmy Carter Hammering in the Hills project in eastern Kentucky and the 1997 all-women's build in Richmond, Kentucky. 

        The First Ladies Build is sponsored nationally by Pace Communications, Greensboro, N.C., and locally by Kentucky Housing Corporation.  In addition, Lyons Lumber and Kentucky State University have committed to supporting the build by offering the use of their facilities and grounds.

        Frankfort/Franklin County Habitat for Humanity, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing.  Habitat brings together people with resources and people in need to build simple, decent, affordable houses.  The houses are sold to those in need at no profit, through no-interest loans.  The Franklin County affiliate was founded in 1991 and has built six houses in Frankfort and Franklin County.

        Women crews have built more than 200 of Habitat's 70,000 homes since 1991.      Women members of the media are invited not just to cover the event, but to join the construction crew. Call Melissa Darnell (502-223-1384 ) to volunteer.                                end