Scenes of Project Playhouse on KTLA

20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION HONORS GENERAL WILLIAM LYON FOR HIS 20 YEAR COMMITMENT TO PROJECT PLAYHOUSE AND GROSSES $511,500 FOR HOMEAID OC

Irvine, CA – 11.11.11 proved to be a lucky date for HomeAid OC, a nonprofit organization benefiting homeless families in Southern California. The sold out 20th Anniversary Celebration raised $511,500 for HomeAid OC.


Since its debut two decades ago, Project Playhoue has captivated millions of visitors, raised a total of $6.3 million and enlisted more than 10,000 volunteers. The result — 48 housing developments and 1,050 beds, providing 4.2 million bed nights over the last 22 years and 386,535 bed nights in 2010 serving victims of domestic violence, abused children and homeless families.

450 guests arrived to bid on this year’s playhouses from Project Playhouse®, the signature annual fundraiser benefitting HomeAid OC. The 2011 collection of fantasy playhouses, which had been open to the public to tour for over a month at the Irvine Spectrum Center, were built and donated by generous home builders, Nicholson Companies, Shea Homes, and William Lyon Homes.

“It’s has been amazing to see how the Orange County community has come together for the last 20 years to inspire hope and build homes that can change the lives for the homeless ” said John Racunas, standing with his Project Playhouse Committee Co-Chair, Brandi Uehli.

HomeAid OC board president Sonia Lister and board member Robert Grimm, helped guide the tribute to General William Lyon for his 20 years of dedication to HomeAid OC, as a video highlighted the 20 playhouses he built for Project Playhouse. While he was center stage, he learned of a special gift delivered in his honor. One of the playhouses William Lyon Homes built in the past was donated back to HomeAid and gifted to Ryan, a 6 year old girl whose wish through Make-A-Wish Foundation was to have a playhouse. The family got up on stage to thank him for his generosity to HomeAid OC and to let him know that the joy and laughter they hear coming out of the playhouse is irreplaceable.

“General William Lyon’s consistent commitment to HomeAid OC for the last 20 years is nothing more than inspiring.” Gina Scott, HomeAid OC Director of Development. “Under his leadership, the team at William Lyon Homes has been side by side HomeAid building hope and changing lives for homeless families and individuals.”

The Over the Rainbow Cottage playhouse team thanked the room as they accepted the People's Choice award, which was voted favorite by the public. Guests also enjoyed the spirited live auction, fine dining, and silent auction, as well as danced until midnight to Super Diamond, the ever-popular Neil Diamond cover band. The winner was also announced for HomeAid’s Extreme Kitchen Makeover’s opportunity drawing, valued at $33,000, which includes KitchenAid Stainless Steel Appliances donated by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, Custom Cabinetry by Hartmark Cabinet Design and Manufacturing and Countertops by Famosa Tile and installation by Epic Stone.

This year’s top sponsors, include: Hayes Martin Associates, Bank of America, PCV Murcor, The Russ and Kathy Van Cleve Foundation, Province Group, Lyon Communities, Jackson DeMarco Tidus & Peckenpaugh, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Hampton Products International, imortgage, Lifescapes International, Surterrre Properties and Darren Lang Family Foundation.

Live auction items were a highlight of the evening and included donations from the Anaheim Ducks, Black, Starr & Frost, Corum, and Ferrari/Masterai of Newport Beach, Pelican Hill and Sunseeker Yacht Group.

ABOUT HOMEAID OC
HomeAid Orange County is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, with a mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless men, women and children can rebuild their lives.

Since 1989, HomeAid OC has raised millions of dollars and created partnerships between residential builders and county service providers to achieve a common goal. The total project value of HomeAid OC is an estimated $57,643,176 and three new developments are currently in progress with an estimated value of $9,020,260. The mission continues and HomeAid remains committed to changing lives and inspiring hope in those who need it most. For more information, please visit http://www.homeaidoc.org/  or http://www.projectplayhouse.org/.

KTLA at Project Playhouse!

Thanks, Allie Mac Kay and KTLA for coming to the Irvine Spectrum this morning to check in on HomeAid OC's Project Playhouse!

20TH ANNIVERSARY PROJECT PLAYHOUSE® AWARD WIINERS ANNOUNCED

Irvine, CA -- Project Playhouse®, the signature annual fundraiser benefitting HomeAid OC, a nonprofit organization benefiting homeless families in Southern California, has announced this year’s award winning playhouses for 2011.  The 20^th Anniversary fantasy playhouses are currently on display at the Edwards Court at Irvine Spectrum Center® through November 11. Project Playhouse Village is open Fridays 12-4, Saturday and Sunday 12-6. Tickets for these dates are $2, children 3 and under are free. www.projectplayhouse.org.

Little Diamond Head by Nicholson Companies -WINNER, GRAND AWARD – BEST IN SHOW. BEST INTERIOR DESIGN AND THE KERMIT DORIUS AWARD – BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Sir Lyon’s Castle by William Lyon Homes – WINNER, THE IMAGINATION AWARD

Tradepartners® Tribute in honor of Chuck Dreyer by Shea Homes – WINNER, GRAND AWARD RUNNER UP AND BEST CRAFTSMAN AWARD

Over the Rainbow Cottage by Team HomeAid – WINNER, BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN

For a chance to take a playhouse home, tickets for the 20th Anniversary Celebration, held on November 11 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Balboa Bay Club, are $275 per person and can be purchased online at projectplayhouse.org. Guests will enjoy the spirited live auction, fine dining, and silent auction as well as a performance by Super Diamond, the ever-popular Neil Diamond cover band. The evening will also be a tribute to General William Lyon for his 20 years of dedication to HomeAid.

Pre-bidding for the playhouses will be hosted at www.FRE.com/HomeAid  beginning on October 7 at 5 pm through November 11 at 12 noon. Pictures and complete descriptions of each of the award winning entries are also available on the website.

Visitors to the Project Playhouse village throughout the month of October will also have a chance to purchase tickets for an opportunity drawing to win HomeAid’s Extreme Kitchen Makeover. The opportunity drawing package, valued at $33,000, includes KitchenAid Stainless Steel Appliances donated by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, Custom Cabinetry by Hartmark Cabinet Design and Manufacturing and Countertops by Famosa Tile and installation by Epic Stone. Tickets to enter the opportunity drawing can be purchased for $5 each. The winner will be announced at the 20th Anniversary Project Playhouse Celebration. Entrants do not need to be present to win.

Since its debut nearly two decades ago, Project Playhouse has captivated millions of visitors, raised a total of $5.8 million and enlisted more than 10,000 volunteers. The result — 47 housing developments and 1,000 beds, providing 4.2 million bed nights over the last 22 years and 386,535 bed nights in 2010 serving victims of domestic violence, abused children and homeless families.

ABOUT HOMEAID OC
HomeAid Orange County is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, with a mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless men, women and children can rebuild their lives.

Since 1989, HomeAid OC has raised millions of dollars and created partnerships between residential builders and county service providers to achieve a common goal. The total project value of HomeAid OC is an estimated $57,643,176 and three new developments are currently in progress with an estimated value of $9,020,260. The mission continues and HomeAid remains committed to changing lives and inspiring hope in those who need it most. For more information, please visit http://www.homeaidoc.org/.

Orange County Register Writes About Project Playhouse

Roxanne Hack of the Orange County Register just wrote about this year's Project Playhouse at The Irvine Spectrum.  So this weekend I took one of my kids to check out the finished project since the last time we posted a story, it was on installation day. 

The home builders behind each playhouse are so creative and the finished product is inspiring. Below are some of our shots of the playhouses: Little Diamond Head by Nicholson Companies, TradePartners Tribute in honor of Chuck Dreyer by Shea Homes, Over the Rainbow Cottage by Team HomeAid and Sir Lyon's Castle. 

Sir Lyon's Castle:

Little Diamond Head:

Trade Partner's Tribute:

Over The Rainbow (sorry that I don't have any interior shots - they all turned out blurry for some reason!):

Project Playhouse Installs The Playhouse Village & Gets Ready For The Open House on October 8

After working all night to install the Project Playhouse Village...

Good Day LA arrived as the sun was coming up.

Then truck loads of flowers, plants and trees came to transform the playhouses.  And as we speak, the details are being installed and finished. I can't wait for the final reveal but in the meantime, here is a sneak peak!