PHOTOS BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
A DISNEY DREAM … Willow, Rosita and Arturo Jr. joined with the F&M team that created their brand-new Disney-themed playhouse, fitted with an automatic bubble machine!
THE BUILD CREW … Kayla and Nicole posed for a photo with the F&M crew that designed, built and painted their brand-new playhouse.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
brenna@thevillagereporter.com
Paintbrushes, power tools and plenty of imagination were on display June 5, 2026, as F&M Bank employees partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County to build three custom playhouses for local children.
More than 20 F&M team members volunteered their time to design, construct and paint the playhouses as part of Habitat’s Playhouse Project, a program that provides children with a unique outdoor space for no charge but a smile.
This year’s builds were anything but ordinary. Each playhouse was customized for the interests of the children — stylized with their own favorite cartoons and characters.
One featured a Bluey and Baby Shark theme, another was decorated with Disney favorites including Mickey Mouse, while a third embraced a pink Paw Patrol theme with white paw prints.
The fun didn’t stop with the structures themselves. Each playhouse was stocked with toys, gifts and surprises tailored to the children, creating a memorable experience for the families involved.
The biggest surprise, however, came when the children arrived. The children, ages 6 months to 8 years old, had no idea the playhouses had been built specifically for them.
As the doors opened and the themed playhouses were revealed, the children eagerly explored their new spaces and the gifts waiting for them inside.
The event marked a significant milestone for F&M Bank, which celebrated its 10th Playhouse Project build since joining the program.
Over the years, the bank has helped provide playhouses for 21 children while raising more than $22,000 to support Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County’s housing initiatives.
“At F&M Bank, investing in our communities means more than providing financial services — it means showing up, lending a hand, and making a difference where we live and work,” stated Maureen Bernath, community relations manager at F&M Bank.
“Reaching our tenth playhouse build is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Heidi Kern, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County, praised the bank’s continued involvement, noting that the partnership has helped create lasting memories for local children while generating important funding for Habitat’s mission.
The Playhouse Project brings together businesses, organizations and volunteers to build personalized play spaces for children while raising support for affordable housing efforts throughout the county.
For the families involved, the colorful playhouses become spaces for creativity, imagination and childhood memories for years to come.