CHANNELING grief into positive action can’t be easy.

But, it was done by an Ohio woman whose son was murdered while attending Franciscan University, Steubenville, in 1999.

That same year, Rachel Muha began a foundation to help inner-city children growing up in surroundings much like those in which her son’s killers had lived during their childhoods. In addition, she became known as the mother who forgave her son’s killers because of her words when one of them was sentenced.

A FOUNDATION named in honor of her son, Brian, not only helps youngsters and young people with activities and guidance, food and a furniture bank, but it also provides scholarships. A scholarship fund for needy students at Franciscan University was established to honor her son and his roommate who were robbed, beaten and killed.

Some 40-45 children attend the Run the Race center when it is open for tutoring, recreation and meals, according to a column by Joe Blundo in The Columbus Dispatch. He added that it has two employees but relies mainly on volunteers and donations.

Among the fund-raising activities for the foundation is a golf outing, planned July 23. Last year, the outing which includes an auction raised more than $44,000 for the foundation.

On the foundation’s Web site, www.brianmuhafoundation.com, the Westerville woman describes an undertaking, called an Urban Style Movement, including a number of outreach projects to be accomplished by high school juniors and seniors as well as college students and recent graduates “who have a heart for children in distress.”

That isn’t all. She and her other son, Chris, have given talks to various organizations of young people and adults on several topics, one of which is “How To Have Fun and Not Lose Heaven.”

DURING the national Jefferson Awards this week, Muha was among five recipients of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Awards given to “Unsung Heroes” for extraordinary and selfless volunteer work in their communities.

She’s a heroine who didn’t let a brutal murder kill her tremendous faith and love.