Work, play join for charity

Miniature mansions have sold for as much as $75,000 at auction to help a nonprofit that aids the homeless.IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Project Playhouse Auction -- 10 elaborate playhouses that have been on display since Sept. 17 will be sold at a public auction event

* WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Saturday

* WHERE: Fashion Island

* WHY: To raise money for HomeAid Orange County’s shelter development program

* COST: $2 raffle tickets will be on sale for the opportunity prize -- the Angels dugout playhouse

* INFO: (949) 553-9510 or www.projectplayhouse.org

Many children dream of having a playhouse to entertain themselves and friends in. But there are also children who dream of having a home to live in.

Since 1989, HomeAid Orange County has been helping the transitionally homeless get back on their feet. The nonprofit organization works with the Building Industry Assn. to build and renovate shelters for people who find themselves homeless for various reasons.

And for the past 14 years, Project Playhouse has played a large role in making it happen.

Every year, Southern California homebuilders design, build and decorate mini-mansion playhouses that go on display for six weeks at Fashion Island. The houses are then sold at a public auction, with all proceeds benefiting HomeAid Orange County’s shelter development program.

“It’s the most unique fundraiser that I’ve ever seen,” said Glen Black, co-chairman of Project Playhouse.

Black, a Ladera Ranch resident, has been a volunteer on the event’s executive committee for six years. He works full time as a director of software development for a Costa Mesa-based credit-reporting agency, Experian, but he also works countless hours planning HomeAid Orange County’s annual fundraiser.

“Glen came on board with Project Playhouse six years ago and at that time was looking to get involved in a community group where he felt he could use his skills,” said Delene Garbo, public relations and communications manager for HomeAid Orange County. “He just jumped in with both feet and became such a proactive committee member.... Our event continues to get better and better, and a lot of that has to do with his leadership.”

Black said he liked HomeAid because it had all the elements of other charities wrapped into one -- it provides a social outlet for him, it has something for children and it helps the homeless. Plus, he said, the organization frequently partners with other nonprofits to provide shelter and resources for as many people as possible.

“I’m sold on the HomeAid message,” he said. “I think it’s a great concept.”

The playhouses generally sell for $15,000 to $20,000, although houses have gone for as much as $75,000, Black said.

These are not standard, plywood, one-room playhouses. Many come complete with running water, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, video game systems, and surround sound.

Black purchased a playhouse for his two children at last year’s auction. His is a miniature model of the White House that with the presidential seal inlayed into its hardwood floors. He said his kids love it, and it’s a popular attraction for the neighborhood children as well.

The builders compete for awards, so a lot of creativity and intricate design work go into building and decorating the homes, Black said. He added that the houses are structurally sound and built to withstand serious weather conditions.

One of this year’s playhouses was modeled after old New Orleans-style homes. The builder, K. Hovnanian Homes, designed the playhouse long before hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.

After the disaster, K. Hovnanian decided it would match the sale price of the New Orleans-style playhouse and donate the money to HomeAid’s Gulf Coast Rebuilding Project. Another builder, Taylor Woodrow Homes, agreed to match funds raised from the entire event, up to $50,000, for the project as well.

Other playhouses featured in this year’s event include several fairy tale-esque cottages, a Polynesian-style beach house, a tropical tree house and an Angels dugout playhouse, which will be this year’s opportunity prize. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $2 each, and the winning ticket-holder gets the Angels playhouse.

Black said anyone interested in bidding on the playhouses should register for a bidder packet, which contains all the information on the homes and a paddle for bidding. The packets are available online at www.projectplayhouse.org or by calling (949) 553-9510.

For more information on HomeAid Orange County, visit www.homeaidoc.org.

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at (714) 966-4625 or lindsay.sandham@latimes.com.

20051019iokwajknKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Glen Black, co-chairman of Project Playhouse, sits on the porch of the Tradepartners Chalet playhouse at Fashion Island on Tuesday.