DATE: Thursday, April 3, 1997               TAG: 9704020130

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Thumbs Up 

SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   87 lines

RALPH L. HOWELL JR. CHAIRMAN, ``PAINT YOUR HEART OUT'' PROJECT

The Suffolk Rotary Club has planned a special party in honor of its 75th anniversary.

The invitation is open, not only to members, but anyone in the community. Dress is casual, fun and fellowship will abound, and breakfast and lunch will be ``on the house.''

The only criteria for joining the celebration is a willingness to arrive at 7:30 a.m. and grab a paint brush to spruce up the home of an elderly or disabled resident.

On April 26, the Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary clubs will join other Hampton Roads Rotary clubs for ``Paint Your Heart Out Hampton Roads,'' a one-day paint event when volunteers from businesses and the community join together to paint the homes of low-income, elderly or handicapped homeowners. Other activities include repairs and yard beautification.

``We are a community service club, but for our 75th anniversary year, we wanted to do something more,'' said Dr. Ralph L. Howell Jr., chairman of the Suffolk ``Paint Your Heart Out'' committee.

``Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake'' was begun in 1991 by the Chesapeake Rotary Club, followed by the Norfolk Rotarians in 1995. This year, so many Rotary clubs from the area will participate that the project has been renamed ``Paint Your Heart Out Hampton Roads'' to reflect its regional nature.

The intent or the project is to maintain the structural integrity and physical life of homes for homeowners who are not capable of doing it themselves, and to both enhance the appearance of the home and the neighborhood.

Last year, over 1,600 volunteers, 400 gallons of paint, and many volunteers revitalized the homes and lives of 25 Chesapeake and 27 Norfolk homeowners.

This year's goal is to refurbish 70 homes throughout Hampton Roads. Rotarians find sponsors and resources to provide paint, ladders, brushes, repair and gardening materials, refreshments, and instructions.

``We need 25 volunteers per house,'' Howell said. ``We have been working with the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority to improve homes in the Orlando area. The Suffolk Rotary Club will paint the home of an elderly, disabled gentleman who lives alone.''

For months, Howell has worked to recruit sponsors and volunteers, and to market the program.

``The houses generally are selected several months prior to Paint Day,''' Howell said. ``We work with the homeowners to determine the color of paint and with local businesses to acquire paint and supplies. There's a lot of preliminary work to be done beforehand. Since September, we have caulked windows, replaced rotten lumber, and scraped paint.''

To recommend a home to be painted, the homeowner must live in the house, have an annual income of not to exceed $12,000 or less, and be 62-years-old or older. Handicapped homeowners and those with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the age guideline, also are sought for consideration, Howell said.

Howell, 36, is a Suffolk native and a 1978 graduate of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. He has a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary and doctor of dental surgery from the Medical College of Virginia. He has been in practice with his father, R. Leroy Howell, since June, 1989.

Howell is the district chairman of the Colonial Trail District of Colonial Virginia Council of Boy Scouts. He oversees program activities for the area, trains Scout leaders and attends Camporees, the Pinewood Derby, and the Kite-oree, both held in the spring.

Howell and his wife, Tammy, have two daughters, Lauren, 12, and Danielle, 9, who belong to the Bethlehem Girl Scouts. Howell also assists their troop.

Howell has been a member of the Suffolk Rotary Club for six years, follwing in the footsteps of his father who has been a member for 30 years.

``The Rotary Club donates money to various charities and is working to eradicate polio in third world countries,'' Howell said. ``We recruit locally to provide scholarships for students to study abroad for a year. We also are actively involved in a community ``tot lot'' and plan to begin that in the fall, although the site has not yet been determined.

``We are working with local businesses to acquire paint and supplies for Paint Day and we have spaces for people who want to help donate paint, brushes and time. In the future, we hope to expand to possibly five to 10 homes, depending on the availability of materials and talent.''

Throughout Hampton Roads, Rotarians are seeking help from anyone ``with heart'' who could donate time, supplies, services of professional painters, carpenters, and pressure washers. Monetary contributions of any amount will help offset costs of materials that are not donated. Also needed are volunteers to work at ``Paint Your Heart Out'' offices before Paint Day and on Paint Day. MEMO: For information, donations, or to volunteer, call 539-7695, and

leave a message. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II

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