The 1999 GMWP house is being built in partnership with Lexington/Henderson County HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. (For more information about this affiliate, please contact Executive Director Brian Williams at 901-967-0853).

The homeowners are Linda Smith, her son and 3 grand children. Linda works at a local nursing home and is in charge of dietary services. Linda and her extended family had been living in the house shown at right. It was a mobile home with a framed addition. It was small, crowded and had been deteriorating for several years. In January 1999 it sustained considerable tornado damage; additionally, in May 1999, a severe wind storm caused even more damage. The roof had holes and leaks, and was patched with sheet plastic and old tires!!!

The lot, however, was an excellent building lot. It has a gentle slope and all utilities. It is located 5 miles west of Lexington close to schools and LInda's work place. Given these factors, and since she already owned the lot, it was decided to build her new home on the lot. Demolition of the old house would have been very costly, so on Thursday June 10, with the local fire department standing by, the house was burned. Linda was given the honor of lighting the match that burned the house!

The house burned quickly (see photos above and at right) and safely. On Tuesday June 15, Brother Jimmy Lee Maness (467--shown in the photo below) cleared the debri and dug and helped pour the footings. The foundation was built on Thursday June 17.

While these activities were going on in Lexington, other preparations were being done a few miles west in Jackson. During the week of June 14, Jackson Area HFH was hosting 100 volunteers from the Chicago area who were helping the affiliate with several houses under construction. Volunteers aided the 1999 GMWP by building T's, Corners, Window and Door frames in preparation for Framing Day June 19, 1999.