ONLY 2 WEEKENDS LEFT AND THE PLAYHOUSES
WILL BE GONE

Saturday, Sept. 12 is the last day of Project Playhouse® at Irvine Spectrum Center®

Contact:  Carolyn Baker - HomeAid Orange County
(949) 553-9510 – carolyn@homeaidoc.org

Jane Gillespie - Irvine Spectrum Center
949.733.2198 - janegillespie@cox.net

2009 Grand Award Best in Show, Little Bali Hut built by Pridemark Contractors Photo Credit: David Heath, Western Exposure

IRVINE, Calif. (Sept. 2, 2009) – HomeAid Orange County’s 18th Annual Project Playhouse will close its gates for the season in Giant Wheel Court at Irvine Spectrum Center® on Saturday, Sept. 12. For playhouse fans of all ages there is still time to see the 2009 Grand Award recipient Little Bali Hut built by Pridemark Contractors and eight other exceptional playhouses plus one amazing dog house.

The remaining Project Playhouse dates and hours are:

Friday, Sept. 4 – Noon to 4pm
Saturday, Sept. 5 – Noon to 6pm
Sunday, Sept. 6 – Noon – 6pm
Friday, Sept. 11 – Noon – 4pm
Saturday, Sept. 12 – Noon – 6pm

For a $5 donation per person (children age 3 and under are free), visitors can wander through the magical village and view the playhouse interiors through Dutch doors.

$1 opportunity drawing tickets are still available for the chance to win Choco’s Fantasy Farmhouse built by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. in partnership with CHOC Children’s. This playhouse fan favorite is designed to encourage healthy, imaginative play for children. Ticket sales from the opportunity drawing will benefit HomeAid Orange County and CHOC Children’s in support of the two non-profit organizations’ missions of serving children and families in the community. Tickets are available at the Project Playhouse Village during tour hours and at Irvine Spectrum Center Guest Services. The drawing will be Sept. 12 at the Project Playhouse live public auction.

Although bidding for the one-of-a-kind playhouses has already begun on Proxibid®, it hasn’t effected the increasing excitement for Project Playhouse’s live public auction on Saturday evening, Sept. 12. This year it will be combined with the 20th anniversary celebration for HomeAid. An expected crowd of more than 500 guests will gather under a magnificent event tent at Irvine Spectrum Center for dinner, entertainment and the thrilling live playhouse auction. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online at www.projectplayhouse.org

Project Playhouse debuted in 1992 and has become HomeAid Orange County’s signature fundraiser. The unique event has raised more than $5 million in support of the 20 year old non-profit organization’s mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Special for 2009 are proceeds from Rock the House built by K. Hovnanian® Homes® will benefit HomeAid Inland Empire and Destiny Doghouse built by LL Development Partners will benefit HomeAid Los Angeles/Ventura.

Playhouses on display are:

12 Cliffside Drive by University of California Irvine Facilities Management
Choco’s Fantasy Farmhouse by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. in partnership with CHOC’s Children
Destiny Doghouse by LL Development Partners in partnership with The Rescue Train and The Loved Dog
Forever Fashionable Beach House by W Custom Homes in partnership with Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)
Little Bali Hut by Pridemark Contractors
Lyon’s Bistro Amici by William Lyon Homes, Inc.
Rock the House by K. Hovnanian® Homes®
Serendib Boathouse by Black Diamond Builders
Sitting Pretty in Provence by Rodeo Homes Inc.
TradePartners’® Farmhouse by Shea Homes

For all ticket and auction bidder information, please visit www.projectplayhouse.org