Most of the volunteers' T-shirts were pink, and a rather high-pitched whoop seemed to spontaneously erupt periodically from one quarter or another as work got under way on the latest batch of Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West homes.

Upon closer inspection, the explanation became apparent. The two residences, located on Rose Street outside of Abita Springs, are being constructed as part of Women Build 2008. The wall-raising ceremony took place Monday.

The Women Build program, underwritten in this case by a $25,000 grant from Lowe's, unites women from all walks of life to learn and then use construction skills "as part of the solution to poverty housing."

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On Monday, scores of female volunteers with newfound construction skills not only put up some walls, they hammered floors and more. Lowe's representatives and members of the two families that will inhabit the homes joined the ladies in their labors.

"This is so wonderful," said Hasina Javery, who will share a home with her husband, Nick, his mother and his 15 year-old sister. "My husband and I are really overwhelmed. It's more the experience than the actual house. There are so many people who care and who ask for nothing in return. It makes it even that much more special."

The second home will be owned by Mary McDonald, her son, Lachon, and grandson, Andre.

On Monday, the front wall on the McDonald house was the first to go up. About an hour later, dozens of pink-clad volunteers hoisted the back wall with a little help from Lowe's. Meanwhile, the sounds of hammering resounded from the residence under construction just up the block.

Mary Catherine Regan, a local Habitat board member, sat in front of the Javery house.

"This is the very first Mary Catherine Regan house," she said, smiling.

Regan and four other women who "have been integral to the success of Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West" were honored on site during the wall-raising ceremonies. Each has one of five new house plans, designed by local architect Shiloh Moates, named in her honor. Besides Regan, the design namesakes are Emily Diamond, Marilyn Wenzel, Barbara Bahlinger and Phyllis Gremillion.

"Just as women today are building these houses, we are honoring the women who dedicated themselves to building our affiliate," said Maureen Clary, president and CEO of the local Habitat, which Diamond helped initiate in 1981.

It was the 10th Habitat affiliate in the United States and the first in Louisiana.

The St. Tammany West affiliate has since completed more than 100 repairs, 17 major home renovations and 140 new construction projects, and sold the residences with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages to partner families.

The Javerys and McDonalds are next in line, and their homes are getting a gentle yet guided touch.

Lowe's will sponsor on-site "how to" clinics for the volunteers throughout the two-week construction project.

"Through Lowe's ongoing commitment to Habitat, we see first-hand the impact Habitat makes on people's lives," said Tim Richmer, Covington store manager. "While Lowe's grants for the McDonald's and Javery's homes enable us to help address the issue of affordable housing in our community, my colleagues and I find the opportunity to offer our construction know-how and volunteer on the build site to be an equally worthwhile investment - an investment of our time and energy."

To get involved or for additional information on Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West, call 893-3172 or visit www.habitatstw.org.