HOMEAID ORANGE COUNTY CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
AT PROJECT PLAYHOUSE®

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

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

2009 People’s Choice Award – Forever Fashionable Beach House Photo Credit: David Heath

IRVINE, Calif. (Sept. 18, 2009) – A crowd of more than 500 people gathered at Irvine Spectrum Center® to celebrate the 20th anniversary of HomeAid Orange County and its work in assisting 25 non-profit organizations to increase their capacity to provide shelter and aid to homeless families and individuals. The evening culminated with the 18th Annual Project Playhouse live public auction of wondrous playhouses, which have been displayed at Irvine Spectrum Center since Aug. 1. The six week long event raised more than $250,000 to help HomeAid fulfill its mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives.

The magnificent circus tent was a perfect venue for the reunion of many long-time HomeAid supporters and partners. Special recognition went to Glenn Lukos of Glenn Lukos Associates Regulatory Services whose company is also celebrating its 20th anniversary. Over 20 years, Lukos corporately and personally has supported HomeAid in countless ways. A unique example is Lukos involvement with Project Playhouse. Eighteen years ago, the first year of Project Playhouse, Glenn and his wife Judy, purchased their initial playhouse. Over the years, they have bought several playhouses and even won the opportunity drawing playhouse, which they generously donated back on the spot to be re-auctioned.

Founding board member Tim Galvin was presented with HomeAid’s Rainbow of Hope Award. In 1988, Galvin proposed to the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association (BIA/OC) that the organization make a commitment to fight against homelessness in Orange County. From Galvin’s initial proposal HomeAid was born.“My proposal to the BIA/OC board came from my heart. I truly believed the building industry had the talent, resources, raw materials and compassion to get excited and mobilize behind what we do best – providing housing for those in need. I’m so proud to be a part of an organization that is now the largest single private entity providing housing for homeless families and individuals in the country,” said Galvin.

Other founding members in attendance were: Jay Blakslee, Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs and Mike Lennon.

Annually, playhouse builder teams and playhouse fans anxiously await the announcement of the People’s Choice Award. This year the coveted award was presented to Forever Fashionable Beach House built by Matt White Custom Homes in partnership with Ransom Group, Ltd. Architect, Hove Design Alliance, Inc. working with interior designer, The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), designed this charming playhouse. FIDM created a unique “design laboratory” encouraging children to explore endless relationships of forms and objects. Lifescapes International, Inc. created the tropical landscape.

Project Playhouse debuted in 1992 and in 2009 premiered at Irvine Spectrum Center. It was estimated over 3 million people viewed the fantasy village during the six week long event. Project Playhouse will return to Irvine Spectrum Center on July 31, 2010 through Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010.