House raisin’ ball

Martha Lawrence builds houses. Not for herself, but for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Louisiana.

Lawrence is president of the Habitat board and co-chairwoman for the construction committee and volunteer coordinator.

She posed by one of the centerpieces Saturday at the first "Hammers, Hearts and Homes Ball" at Sam’s Town Casino & Hotel Ballroom.
"I have learned to saw. I can cut Sheetrock, hammer Sheetrock. I cut boards. I build houses," said Lawrence.

She and her husband, Bill Lawrence, got involved in 2000 when he retired as an engineer with International Paper Co., and they were looking for something to do.

"We started building a house that weekend and we have not missed one yet," said Lawrence.