2007 Playhouse Project

Construction is well underway on backyard playhouses for the annual CASA for Kids Playhouse Project. This year, one playhouse (seen above) is being built by Jim Clarkson and his students in the Industrial Technology-Construction program at Jennings County High School. This playhouse is being named “Izzy House” in honor of our former Special Projects Coordinator, who helped Jim find a playhouse design. Jim and his students have built several playhouses for our program over the years, and we greatly appreciate their continued support. Comments from some of the students include: "It's for a good cause and it's FUN to build!" "It's fun to use a hammer!" “It's fun to build and we get to see it in the community when it's done." "I like to paint the playhouse. It's fun and it helps kids!" Brands, Inc. of Columbus donated most of the materials for this playhouse.
 
The second playhouse is being designed and built by firefighters from the Seymour Fire Department. They plan to build a miniature firehouse. Home Depot provided a donation for this playhouse.
 
These playhouses will be displayed at various venues in the five county region served by Advocates for Children. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 8 for $5. 2007 display venues include: Bears of Blue River Festival in Shelbyville (August 17-18-19), Scottish Festival in Columbus (September 8-9, Railroad Days in Vernon (September), Oktoberfest in Seymour (October 4-5-6), and Ethnic Expo in Columbus (October 12-13). The winning raffle tickets are chosen at Ethnic Expo, and the houses are then delivered to the winners.
 
This project provides at least two benefits to Advocates for Children. First, it provides much needed revenue to provide advocacy to the abused and neglected children we serve. Secondly, it raises community awareness of our mission. Displaying the playhouses at these events and festivals has resulted in individuals expressing an interest in becoming CASA volunteers or in helping the organization in other ways.
 
The corporate sponsorship campaign is underway, as most of the proceeds for this project come from corporate and foundation sponsors. If interested in becoming a sponsor of the playhouse project, please contact Kathleen Sheehy at our office. This year is the 10th anniversary of the CASA for Kids Playhouse Project, and we expect it to be the most successful one to date!

2006 Playhouse Project

This year, “The Farm” has been designed and built by Matt Kiel, as his senior projects at Columbus East High School. It is currently housed at Fair Oaks Mall and tickets are being sold by Petals and Vines in the mall – our thanks to them for their support! The second playhouse, “The General Store,” was designed and built by students at Jennings County High School, under the direction of Jim Clarkson. This playhouse will travel to our various venues during the summer and fall of 2006. Venues include the Bears of Blue River Festival in Shelbyville, Oktoberfest in Seymour, and Scottish Festival and Ethnic Expo in Columbus. The winning tickets will be drawn on October 14th at Ethnic Expo. Sponsors in 2006 include Irwin Union Bank, Jolie Crider Reach-Out Fund, The Republic, Cummins, Inc., and Reams Asset Management.

2005 CASA for Kids Playhouse Project

Advocates for Children announced the winners of the CASA for Kids Playhouse Project. Jeff Beck, of Columbus, won the “Cabin”, built and designed by employees of Irwin Union Bank and Irwin Financial Corporation. Cheryl Small won the “Little Red House”, designed and built by Megan McCormick as her senior project at Columbus East High School. Megan is a student at Ball State University, planning a major in architecture. Ms. Small donated the “Little Red House” to Rocky Ford Free Methodist Church on Rocky Ford Road.

Venues in 2005 included: “Families Helping Families” at Mill Race Park in Columbus, Bears of Blue River Festival (Shelbyville), Scottish Festival (Columbus), Oktoberfest (Seymour), and Ethnic Expo (Columbus).

Proceeds from this year’s CASA for Kids Playhouse Project were nearly $23,000. Thanks go to our Primary Corporate Sponsors: Jolie Crider Reach Out Fund, Irwin Union Bank, Reams Asset Management, Columbus Container, Cummins, Inc, and NTN. We also want to thank our other sponsors: Caltherm Corporation, Coca Cola, Columbus Internal Medicine, Doral Juvenile Group, Enkei America, Johnson Ventures, Knauf USA, Net Forge, Pentzer Printing, Renner Motors, The Republic, Rockwell Automation, and Tony London Company. All proceeds from ticket sales and corporate sponsorships benefit Advocates for Children.