FINISHED PRODUCT … Volunteers and the family are pictured receiving the finished playhouse from Habitat for Humanity to take home for their kids. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
By: Lindsay Phillips
On October 22, Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County built their fourth playhouse of the year as a part of their new Playhouse Project.
This project is to provide a children’s playhouse for family’s who are unable to provide it themselves.
Habitat for Humanity gathered multiple sponsors from Delta to accomplish a goal of $2,500 that was needed for the projects expenses and material.
Sponsors included North Star BlueScope Steel, Edward Insurance, Grisier Funeral Homes, Childress Collision, Shear Perfection, Furlong & Associates, CPA, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Black Swamp Spoke & Pedal, Delta 109 Tavern & Eatery, Eric Barnes Insurance and The Open Door of Delta.
Sponsors provided a total of $1,200 dollars toward the playhouse, with North Star BlueScope Steel covering the remaining $1,300 dollars.
Another sponsor was Delta Hardware and Industrial, who donated a quart of paint for the project.
Wauseon Ace Hardware and Lugbill Supply Center have both donated paint to Habitat that has been used for Playhouse Projects and their full-scale home builds.
Building of the playhouse took place in an empty lot at the corner of Main and Monroe Street in Delta at 9:00 a.m.
Each playhouse came with already cut out material which was previously primed, and was assembled, painted and decorated by members from five out of the eleven sponsors.
At roughly 2:00 p.m. the family was able to enjoy their finished playhouse which they were responsible for transporting home. Many cars driving by the site honked in support of the project.
Habitat for Humanity of Maumee Valley began the Playhouse Project about four years ago, which was adopted by Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County this year.
Although brought to life this year, the program was able to accomplish two playhouses last year.
With a goal of ten playhouses in mind, Sponsors from this year have already signed up to support the program in 2023.
During interview with Executive Director Heidi Kern she shared, “We say little houses build big houses because this has been our signature fundraiser and will continue doing it as long as there’s a need in the community and sponsors being willing to do it.”
“The fact that Habitat does not get any funding from our national organization, we actually pay them to be a part of the national organization, so we have to raise every dollar that we use to build big houses.”
“So we raise it through fundraising like these playhouse projects and by also asking for donations from community members.”
Kern went on to share, “One volunteer came and told me once he was coming out to do something for someone else, which was exactly what he was doing, but when he left the site that day, he said he didn’t know how much this would do for him, and that’s what its about.”
Kent added, “When you do a playhouse project you not only get to do something for someone else, but you get so much satisfaction and joy to know you’re making such a difference in someone else’s life.”
Heidi also added, “Whenever something is supposed to happen, it happens on God’s time and you just kind of know when its Gods time.”
“I’m one of those people who just goes in like a bull in a China shop to get things done and sometimes it doesn’t work that way and I realize well it’s because it wasn’t Gods time.”
“But when it’s his time it falls into place and just happens naturally. I really feel these Playhouse Projects are what God intended us to be doing right now.”
“In the end were going to be able to build affordable houses and its exciting because that’s what were here to do.”
Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County not only serves Fulton County, but Henry County as well.
Information on applying for the Playhouse Program as well as information on how to become a sponsor can be found on their website, or by calling 419-335-7000.
Currently, Habitat is working on building a home in Wauseon.
Lindsay can be reached at lindsay@thevillagereporter.com