Why Do Our Partners Help Build Playhouses?

Our partners dedicate hundreds of hours generously donating their resources and sharing their talents in support of HomeAid. View the video produced by Anna Romiti, Vice President, Ripe Orange Inc. to hear the following individuals tell their Project Playhouse stories.

• Tara Morenc - Director of Purchasing, Southern California Division, William Lyon Homes


• Cindy Kennedy - President, ProRepro


• Rod Plunkett - Shea Homes


• Greg Janes - Vice President, Senior Business Consultant, Wells Fargo Business Banking


• Trevor Lawton - Project Engineer, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.


• Kim Kelly - President, Hampton Products International Inc.


• Scott Larson - Executive Director, HomeAid Orange County

Click to see the video: Why Our Partners Help Build Homes

Turn a Playhouse Into a Home

In 1992 HomeAid Orange County launched Project Playhouse - a unique fundraiser to benefit HomeAid's housing development program. Hundreds of volunteers have generously worked thousands of hours designing and building fantasy playhouses which have helped provide homes for hundreds of homeless families.

Saturday, July 31 the gates of the 2010 Project Playhouse will open to the public at Irvine Spectrum Center. It will seem like they magically appear, but there are so many people involved in creating the incredible village.

Every day on this blog we'll share an interesting fact or introduce you to some of the wonderful individuals that make Project Playhouse come to life and help raise funds to provide homes for homeless families.

Pictured here is Hope Cottage built in 1992 by William Lyon Homes and designed by Joe DiGardo-Hales/Langston Architects. Wait until you see their 2010 playhouse - it is fantastic!

Gina Scott & Keith Hempel on 2nd Funniest Podcast with Justin Worsham

Justin Worsham describes himself as a good husband, father and a jerk. And now he's a fan of Project Playhouse. Justin, a professional comedian and an incredibly funny podcaster, interviewed Gina Scott and LPA architect, Keith Hempel about their work on HomeAid's 2010 Project Playhouse. They discuss why Keith became an architect (great story about The Brady Bunch), how Gina took home a homeless woman and now works for HomeAid AND of course how LPA has designed a net-zero playhouse for Project Playhouse. Educational and very funny!

2010 Sponsorship & Underwriting Opportunities

The 19th Annual Project Playhouse is coming to Irvine Spectrum Center on July 30 running through September 10, 2010.

Fantastic sponsorship opportunities are available.

Click here to see the details.

Click here to download the response form.

Opportunities for Builders to Be a Part of the 19th Annual Project Playhouse

We're inviting builders to be a part of the 2010 Project Playhouse®. Our signature fundraiser is a six week event that draws millions of visitors to Irvine Spectrum Center® to view the magnificent creations of playhouse builder teams. Participants’ craftsmanship will be showcased to the public beginning Saturday, July 31 and ending with the live public auction on Saturday, Sept. 11. Participating builders will receive media coverage; prominent signage; event advertising; prestigious award opportunities and a special VIP party honoring contributors. All proceeds benefit HomeAid Orange County’s mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives.

Project Playhouse debuted in 1992 and for 18 years renowned Southern California homebuilders, trades, architects and designers have participated in Project Playhouse helping to raise more than $5 million which has enabled HomeAid to build or renovate 44 housing developments for homeless men, women and children.

One of Southern California’s leading homebuilders, William Lyon Homes, has consecutively built award winning playhouses for Project Playhouse since the event premiered in Orange County. Returning again this year, Tara Morenc, Director of Purchasing expressed, “William Lyon Homes is not just a builder. We build communities and feel it is important to give back to the community. We’re proud to again be a part of Project Playhouse. We feel it is the most effective way to utilize our expertise and resources and at the same time help homeless individuals and families.”

Other returning 2010 playhouse builders are Shea Homes, Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA), University of Southern California Irvine Facilities Management Team and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. in partnership with CHOC Children’s. If you are interested in joining this prestigious group contact Gina Scott at 949.553.9510 or email gina@homeaidoc.org to request entry forms, guidelines and participation details. Act quickly, with five spaces already filled, HomeAid will accept the first four confirmed applicants.

2010 Project Playhouse

Project Playhouse kicks-off at Irvine Spectrum Center® on Saturday, July 31, 2010.

A $10 donation will give visitors entrance into the fantasy village to explore the playhouses. Opening Day is the ONLY day the public can actually step inside these incredible miniature houses.

Opening Day is always exciting. Click here to see pictures from 2009.

After Saturday's Open House the playhouses will continue to be on display until September 11. On the weekends for a $5 donation per person, visitors can view the house interiors through Dutch doors.

The six week long event culminates with a live public auction at Irvine Spectrum Center® on Saturday, September 11.

Follow our blog for updates.

Project Playhouse 2009 Awards

Grand Award - Best of Show
Little Bali Hut by Pridemark Contractors

Grand Award - First Place
Sitting Pretty in Provence by Rodeo Homes, Inc.

Grand Award - Second Place
Forever Fashionable Beach House by W Custom Homes in Partnership with The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)

People's Choice Award
Forever Fashionable Beach House by W Custom Homes in Partnership with The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)

Special Consideration Trophies

The California Award: Best Depiction of Life in California

12 Cliffside Drive by University California Irvine (UCI) Facilities Management

The Craftsman Award: Best Builder/Craftsman

TradePartners® Farmhouse by Shea Homes

The Designer Award - Best Interior Design

Little Bali Hut by Pridemark Contractors

The Kermit Dorius Memorial Award: Best Architectural Design

Sitting Pretty in Provence by Rodeo Homes, Inc.

The Imagination Award: Most Creative and Unique

Forever Fashionable Beach House by W Custom Homes in Partnership with The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)

The Mirror Image Award: Most Realistic/Authentic Design

Lyon's Bistro Amici by William Lyon Homes

The Playful Award: Most Fun and User Friendly

Choco's Fantasy Farmhouse by McCarthy Building Companies Inc. in Partnership with CHOC Children's

The Rainbow Award: Most Colorful

Serendib Boathouse by Black Diamond Builders

The Roger Seitz Award: Best Modern Design

Rock the House by K. Hovnanian Homes

The Secret Garden Award: Best Landscape Design

Little Bali Hut by Pridemark Contractors

The Spirit Award: Outstanding Example of Community Involvement

Destiny Doghouse by LL Development