This year marked the third year for Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio’s Project Playhouse in Muskingum County, held at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds on Friday, October 13. Although Project Playhouse has taken place in other areas, Muskingum is one of just three counties in Southeast Ohio that hold the event. The other two are Athens and Fairfield.
Every year since 2020 Habitat for Humanity SEO works with sponsors to build playhouses in just one day for local families in need of a safe place for their children to play. This year nine playhouses were built and donated. 35 Playhouses have been built since bringing the event to Muskingum County. Proceeds from the Project Playhouse stay in the county and go toward building a home for a local family.
“We consider this event a win, win, win. One, it is a great fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity SEO, two, it is a fabulous team-building day for our sponsors, and three, in the end, a family is blessed with a Playhouse for their children,” said Melissa Best, Community Engagement Director at Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio.
Each participating sponsor is matched with a family that has children and falls in the low to moderate income level or their child has special needs. The families are involved early in the design process, providing suggestions for colors, preferences, and ideas for themes that their child likes. After hearing the feedback from the family, the sponsor team develops those initial ideas into a solid design that is implemented into the build. Some themes included Barbie, aliens, and construction equipment just to name a few. Over 100 volunteers were involved in this year’s event including a few knowledgeable people in the trade. This year’s helpers were Jim Lepi and D.J. Aitken.
“This year’s event was in honor of Chad Mitchell, a true Habitat hero. Chad helped at all of our events, and made them better for everyone. Sadly, Chad passed away this year unexpectedly,” explained Best.
Lepi & Associates Real Estate Services has participated every year, but this year was their first time as a presenting sponsor. Park National Bank was this year’s volunteer sponsor.
“We consistently hear that Project Playhouse is one of our sponsors’ favorite events of the year. It is a fun day for everyone, but the magic happens when the kids arrive and get to see their playhouse for the first time,” added Best.
For more information visit www.habitatseo.org.
CAPTION: The team from Lepi and Associates Real Estate Services pictured with the completed schoolhouse-themed playhouse that they built during the event. Lepi and Associates Real Estate Services was this year’s Project Playhouse presenting sponsor.
