Winning Entries Announced for Beloved Playhouses That Will Open 'Doorways For Hope' For Orange County's Homeless
William Lyon Homes Wins Top Honors For Entry In HomeAid OC's 21st 'Project Playhouse® Fundraiser, Set For Oct. 5; Hello Kitty To Return and Greet Fans On Sept. 22 At The Playhouse Village During Festival Of Children®.
- (1888PressRelease) September 21, 2012 - With its annual gala fundraiser less than three weeks away, HomeAid Orange County has announced the winning entries in its 21st annual Project Playhouse, a unique and cherished event that delights children and adults while providing crucial assistance to the county's growing population of homeless women, men and children.
The winning playhouses, announced at a V.I.P. party Sept. 13 at South Coast Plaza's Jewel Court, will be auctioned off at HomeAid's signature fundraising event at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach on Oct. 5. The theme of this year's fundraiser is "Doorways for Hope."
The Grand Award - Best in Show award went to "Victorian Surprise" by William Lyon Homes, whose creation also won in three other categories: The Craftsman Award - Best Craftsmanship, The Designer Award - Best Interior Design, and The Kermit Dorius Award - Best Architectural Design.
The Grand Award - Runner-up was awarded to Shea Homes for "A TradePartners® Christmas Story, which also won The Imagination Award - Most Imagination.
Team HomeAid was honored with The Secret Garden Award - Best Landscape for "The Queen's Garden Cottage," while the Roger Seitz Memorial Award - Best Modern Design went to "Surfer Shack" by BIA/OC Next Gen Group.
"We congratulate all the winners and thank them for their amazing creativity and devotion to a cause that should be close to every Orange County resident," said Scott Larson, executive director of HomeAid Orange County, based in Irvine. "These playhouses are a tangible symbol of compassionate efforts to help the homeless restore dignity and regain financial independence."
Project Playhouse is the centerpiece of HomeAid Orange County's ongoing commitment to helping the homeless. Since it began in 1992, the annual event has raised more than $6.3 million to help the 23-year-old non-profit organization complete 49 housing developments, which were gifted to 25 service providers who provide aid and shelter to homeless men, women and children.
Major sponsors of this year's Project Playhouse, in which homebuilders, trades, architects and designers have donated their talents and resources to design and build whimsical creations, include Bank of America, PCV Murcor, Province Group/Newport Equities LLC and the Russ and Kathy Van Cleve Foundation. HomeAid is also pleased to announce Auction.com as a first time sponsor as well as the provider of live, online playhouse bidding. For more information about how to bid live online visit projectplayhouse.org.
For the first time in the history of the event, the beautiful playhouses are on display during the Festival of Children® at South Coast Plaza from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, outside Macy's valet and in Jewel Court. Visitors are able to peer through the doors and windows of the playhouses from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Interested parties who wish to bid on a playhouse can arrange a private tour by contacting HomeAid at 949-553-9510.
In another first for the 2012 version of Project Playhouse, global pop icon Hello Kitty was on hand Aug. 30 to greet the arrival of four playhouses at South Coast Plaza. Hello Kitty, Sanrio's flagship lifestyle brand, will once again visit the retail destination on Saturday, Sept. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Playhouse Village.
The month-long display of the playhouses is being held in conjunction with the 11th annual Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza. Sponsored by the national Festival of Children Foundation, the celebration features free weekend activities, celebrity appearances, live performances and more than 75 charities that serve children. Festival of Children Foundation was founded in 2002 with the mission of improving children's lives by strengthening the charities that serve them. September is National Child Awareness Month.
For all ticket and auction bidder information for the fundraising gala on Oct. 5 and information about how you can bid live online please visit projectplayhouse.org.
About HomeAid Orange County
HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between service providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date, the organization has completed 49 housing developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, and abused and abandoned children. Developments range from small renovations to multi-million dollar projects located throughout Orange County. For more information, please visit www.homeaidoc.org.
About Festival of Children Foundation
Festival of Children Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that serves to bring together and coordinate the efforts of charities, companies and individuals who actively work to improve the lives of children. Festival of Children Foundation gives a voice, guidance and support. 100% of the administrative costs are covered by designated funding, allowing donations to go further in direct support of programs and services that improve the lives of children. For more information, please visit www.festivalofchildren.org.
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