HomeAid Orange County

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (November 14, 2006) HomeAid Orange County’s signature fundraiser, Project Playhouse 2006 raised over $620,000 for its shelter development program, a Project Playhouse record to date!
Wahoo’s Xtreme Sports Shack came away the winner of the People’s Choice Award, distinguishing itas the most popular playhouse in 2006! This award-winning playhousewas built and decorated by Pulte Homes in partnership with designer and landscape artist Urban Arena LLC.
Pulte Homes received unprecedented support from its sponsors including Wahoo’s Fish Tacos that donated cash and a block party for the lucky winner; Aloha Airlines that donated a trip to Hawaii; and Blue C that contributed a dune buggy, adding the crowning touch to this crowd favorite, one of nine playhouses that sold to the highest bidder at the live public auction held at Fashion Island earlier this fall.
HomeAid Orange County is the Building Industry Association’s charitable arm that has to date completed 40 shelter developments throughout Orange County. For information call (949) 553-9510 or www.homeaidoc.org.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (November 14, 2006) -- HomeAid Orange County, the Building Industry Association’s non-profit organization that builds and renovates temporary residences for homeless men, women, and children recently announced proceeds in excess of $600,000 garnered from its annual fundraiser Project Playhouse 2006, held at Fashion Island on October 14th.

The Children and Families Commission of Orange County stepped up as the presenting sponsor for Project Playhouse for the fourth consecutive year with State Street Corporation a third-time sponsor partnering with HomeAid as the Auction Party presenter.

“Throughout the 15-year history of this event we have been able to grow support and revenue thanks to the generosity of the Orange County Building Industry and the hundreds of volunteers from the community,” said Gina Cunningham, HomeAid Orange County’s director of development. “And now in 2006 with the celebration of our 15th Anniversary not only have we increased our proceeds – we have surpassed our own half million dollar record-an outstanding achievement that will significantly add to HomeAid’s ability to strengthen its shelter development program.”

In addition to Project Playhouse’s stellar financial performance, the night’s entertainment and ambience was also heralded as the best to date. The stage was set with a spectacular Moroccan-inspired foyer serving as the ‘bidder tent’ where those purchasing playhouses had the opportunity to process their purchases. Designed by Madeline Young of MYI Interior Design and coordinated by her professional team, this spectacular addition garnered rave reviews by the more than 600 attending guests.

“A Night in Morocco,” complete with camels and flying carpets, was made even more authentic by the talents of the brightly clad belly dancers and authentic Moroccan-costumed musicians provided by Backstage-A-Fare, a major HomeAid supporter that for three consecutive years has generously provided heavily discounted food and entertainment.

Nathan Ong - a 12-year old volunteer singled out as the premier ticket-seller for the A Day at the Big A - the Angels baseball cap motif Opportunity Prize playhouse built by Lennar Homes - was on hand to draw the winning Opportunity Prize ticket. Assisting Nathan was Giancarlo Zappala representing State Street, the Auction Party sponsor.

San Diego’s Crystal Cove Cottage built by Pardee Homes, was a first time entry for the San Diego Chapter and has the distinction of being the only playhouse in 2006 that was sold twice. The initial Crystal Cove Cottage bidder, long time HomeAid supporter Glenn Lukos and family involved with Project Playhouse for all 15 years of its existence - donated the playhouse back to the auction; this is the fifth time the Lukos family has contributed in this way.

The night culminated in a bidding war for nine elaborate playhouses, most of which came complete with flat-screen plasma TVs, surround-sound systems, game boxes and running water. The playhouse selling prices ranged from $15,000 to $45,000.

The Peoples Choice Award, based on the votes of the general public, distinguished Wahoo’s Xtreme Sports Shack as the most popular playhouse in 2006! The playhouse builder, Pulte Homes was supported by its sponsors; Wahoo’s Fish Tacos that donated cash and a block party for the lucky winner; Aloha Airlines that donated a trip to Hawaii; and Blue C that contributed a dune buggy.

In addition to the builder teams’ participation, Project Playhouse relies heavily on its sponsorships to raise funds for the HomeAid shelter development program. This year’s top sponsors included:

Builder Awards of excellence were presented at a separate event held prior to the auction. Those recipients were:

“WAHOO’S XTREME SPORTS SHACK”
by Pulte Homes; Architect & Landscape Artist , Urban Arena, Interior Design, Pulte Homes Team;
GRAND AWARD – Best of Show
THE CALIFORNIA AWARD – Best Depiction of Life in California
THE IMAGINATION AWARD – Most Creative & Unique

“BACK AT THE RANCH”
by K Hovnanian Homes; Architect, Bloodgood Sharp Buster; Interior Design, Lasting Interiors; Landscape Artist, Urban Arena
GRAND AWARD - 1st PLACE-Best of Show
THE DESIGNER AWARD – Best Interior Design

“A DAY AT THE BIG A”
by Lennar Homes; Architect, Bassenian/Lagoni; Interior Design, Chameleon Designs; Landscape Artist, The Collaborative West
GRAND AWARD - 2nd PLACE – Best of Show
THE PLAYFUL AWARD – Most Fun and User Friendly

“CAROLINA ON MY MIND”
by Finton Associates, Architect, KTGY Group, Inc.; Interior Design, Interior Design Concepts; Landscape Artist; Nuvis Landscaping
THE CRITERION AWARD-Most Ingenious within Guidelines

“LYON’S LITTLE AUGUSTA”
by William Lyon Homes, Inc.; Architect, Lind & Associates; Interior Design, Meridian Interiors; Landscape Artist, Frank Radamacher & Associates
THE SECRET GARDEN AWARD-Best Landscape Design

“TRADEPARTNERS’™ PAINTED LADY”
by Shea Homes; Architect, Wesseln Construction; Interior Design, Interior Lifestyles; Landscape Artist, Land Care
THE CRAFTSMAN AWARD-Best Builder/Craftsman
THE KERMIT DORIUS AWARD-Best Architectural Design

“ALL SEASONS HIDEAWAY”
by KB Home; Architect, Lim Chang Rohling & Associates; Interior Design, Design Line Interiors; Landscape Artist, MJS Design Group
THE SPIRIT AWARD-Best Example of Community Involvement

“CRYSTAL COVE COTTAGE”
by Pardee Homes – San Diego; Architect, Bassenian/Lagoni, Interior Design, Color Design Art; Landscape Artist, Landscape Development, Inc.
THE MIRROR IMAGE AWARD-Most Authentic Design

“FUN AT THE CAPE ESCAPE”
by UCI Facilities Management Team; Architect, JZMK Partners; Interior Design, UC Irvine; Landscape Artist, Urban Arena
THE CRITERION AWARD-Most Ingenious within the Guidelines (tie w/Carolina on my Mind

“ENGINE 15”
by Taylor Woodrow; Architect, JZMK Partners; Interior Design; Objekt Design Group; Landscape Artist, Urban Arena
THE RAINBOW AWARD

To date, HomeAid Orange County has completed 40 shelter developments with two projects in various stages of planning and development. 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 information call (949) 553-9510 or click www.homeaidoc.org.