To the editor:

Habitat for Humanity’s Lawrence affiliate is currently working on its 66th, 67th and 68th houses in our town. Habitat brings out the charitable best in the community. In doing so, it also encourages the participation and industry of the people the program helps. It is thus with regret and no small degree of sadness that I read the report of the theft of $1,400 of tools from the Women Build 2007 Habitat site – tools that were financed by generous folks from Lawrence who want to help ensure that everyone has a safe and comfortable home in which to live.

What makes this thoughtless crime even more difficult to accept is that Women Build 2007 is within $10,000 of the $60,000 total cost of completing this project. The theft is not only an insult to the citizens of the community who are supporting our effort but it is a very personal crime against the family who will be moving into and purchasing this house.

Despite this setback, Women Build 2007 will continue its efforts to meet our June 30 deadline and is grateful to Lawrence for its support.

Dru Sampson,

Lawrence