NEWPORT BEACH, CA (November 3, 2003)

According to event co-chair, Michael Levi Schrock, principal of Urban Arena Landscape Architecture and Planning, the Project Playhouse auction drew an enthusiastic crowd ready to open their hearts and their wallets to help the homeless.

"In spite of the devastation brought about by the recent firestorms, HomeAid supporters came to Project Playhouse ready to champion the homeless," said Schrock, who went on to say that the event was presented to a packed house that included guests from all over Southern California with bidders as far away as Dallas, Texas.

Event co-chair Glen Black said that the caliber of the 2003 playhouse entries were first rate. "It continues to astound me," said Black, " when I see the extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into each and every playhouse, including the Team Project Playhouse entry built solely by volunteers who spent hundreds of personal hours getting the job done."

Black said that special guests added a unique element to the event. " Los Angeles baseball-great Shawn Green was on hand to autograph baseballs as was Lee Reherman, actor and sports commentator who lent his special brand of humor to the evening. Lee teamed up once again with auctioneer extraordinaire, Chuck Dreyer whose amazing energy played a key role in raising funds for the event."

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the awards for outstanding entries beginning with the Project Playhouse 2003 Grand Award presented to Home Tweet Home built by Greystone Homes. The first runner up award went to Claiborne by Pulte Homes, and the 2nd runner up to The Wild Bunch Hideout by KTGY Group, Inc. with Tony Valentine Construction and Finton Construction.

The Peoples Choice Award, based on the votes of the general public, distinguished Claiborne by Pulte Home Corporation, Inc. as the most popular playhouse in 2003.

Gina Economakos, Project Playhouse administrator and director of development for HomeAid Orange County said that the result of everyone's hard work was evident in the smooth operation of this very complicated and multi-faceted event. "Fashion Island's team of professionals deserve special kudos as do the nearly 2,000 volunteers who gave of their time and talent to help raise funds for the temporarily homeless populations served by HomeAid," said Economakos. HomeAid, the largest provider of shelter for the temporarily homeless, is the charitable outreach for the Building Industry Association.

In addition to the monies made from the playhouse auction, Project Playhouse collected cash and in-kind donations from sponsorships, including media contributors. The top-level in-kind media sponsors for Project Playhouse 2003 were KOCE-TV; RAVO Media; Builder & Developer Magazine; Daily Pilot; OC Metro/OC Family (Churm Publishing Co.); Orange Coast Magazine; Riviera Magazine; and the Building Industry Association's publication, Southern California Builder.

Additional top sponsors included BCI Framing & Drywall; Bragg Companies; Experian; O'Connell Landscape Maintenance; HomeBuyers Guide; Valley Building Materials; Orange County Association of Realtors; Shea Homes; The Irvine Company; Countrywide Home Loans; Regal Rents; Fashion Island; Coldwell Banker; Shuster Financial Group, LLC; Manatt/Phelps/Phillips and Owens Corning HomeExperts that will be providing five years annual maintenance for each of the playhouses purchased at this year's auction. Proceeds from Project Playhouse are slated for the HomeAid shelter development program.

The temporarily homeless served by HomeAid include women in crisis pregnancy; victims of domestic violence; the mentally challenged; adults living with HIV/AIDS; homeless youths; and those who find themselves homeless as a result of job loss or catastrophic illness.

For more information on how you can help, please call HomeAid Orange County (949) 553-9510 or visit www.homeaidoc.org and www.projectplayhouse.