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As he looked at the wooden foundation of Aunt Hattie's Place rising up out of the ground, Sandy Spring Civic Association President Mark O'Flynn said he could not be more thrilled to have the home for foster boys in his neighborhood.

"We're pretty happy to have Hattie making progress," he said of Hattie Washington, president and founder of Aunt Hattie's Place Inc., whose third group home is being built on Norwood Road. "She's been persevering in her attempts to get this place built and that's model behavior — don't ever give up."

O'Flynn, elected officials, residents and other supporters gathered Thursday afternoon to celebrate the construction of the home's foundation and even hammer in a nail or two.

Aunt Hattie's Place is being built onto what was once the home of Robert H. Hill, president and founder of Sandy Spring Construction Company and former Negro League baseball player, and will provide a long-term home for eight boys between 12 and 19 years old who are in foster care or group homes. It is slated to open in December.

Hill, a well-known philanthropist, left the property to Washington, who founded two similar homes for at-risk youth in Baltimore city and Baltimore County.

Although the project faced some initial opposition from neighbors, Del. Karen S. Montgomery (D-Dist. 14) of Brookeville said Washington knew how to change their minds.

"Sandy Spring is tough, Sandy Spring is difficult and Sandy Spring wants to have a say," she said. "And what I know about Aunt Hattie and this project, she knew how to work the people in Sandy Spring so they became supportive."

Montgomery said the project is needed in the county.

"As a parent of a son who — of necessity — is in a group home, I know how important this is to these people's lives and I'm grateful we have it here in town," she said.

Aunt Hattie's Place is being built by GRC Construction, which is based in Zullinger, Pa.

Greg Dillon, founder and principal of Dillon Development Partners LLC, the Frederick company overseeing the project, said approximately 3,600 square feet of the existing house on the property will remain, with 11,000 square feet in new construction.

GRC Construction is moving forward with its work despite an approximate $1 million shortfall in Washington's budget for the project, said Jim Rock, president and founder of the company.

A state bond bill provided $550,000 toward the project, and the County Council has allocated $900,000 over the fiscal 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 budgets, said Chris Gillis, an aide to County Councilman George L. Leventhal (D-At large) of Takoma Park.

Gillis said Aunt Hattie's Place had raised $680,000 toward the project.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $3 million.

O'Flynn said Thursday he would give $1,000, and his employer, Washington Gas, had agreed to match his donation.

Washington thanked the community and said she is sure the home's future residents will thank them, too."Somebody helped us one day, and the only thing these kids need is a chance," she said. "And if you met my young men who were here earlier today, you would see that these kids are just appreciative, and they're appreciative for a good home. And we, as leaders in the community and people who have been blessed — they're waiting on us to make a decision to help them."