With bananas used as doorknobs, steering wheels on the sides of houses and glitter on the roof, this was no ordinary Habitat for Humanity build day. This week, Habitat Halton-Mississauga took part in a three-day playhouse build in partnership with CUMIS Insurance. In total, teams from CUMIS built 14 unique playhouses, which will go on to be sold in a Habitat ReStore. CUMIS committed to donating $50,000 over the next two years in support of Habitat’s efforts to build affordable housing in local communities.
“Habitat for Humanity and its purpose closely align with CUMIS and The Cooperator’s commitment to create stronger, healthier and more sustainable communities. We’re proud of our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga and we’ve donated over $50,000 over the last two years in addition to contributing more than 100 volunteer days each year. And today we’re committing to another $50,000 for the 2018-2019 year.”
— Wayne Schatz, The Co-operators Vice President and General Counsel
Each of the five teams of five people had one day to complete their playhouse. Playhouses had five themes: little girl, little boy, Canada, Cityline and wild card. Teams constructed the wooden playhouses, painted them using Dulux paint and, of course, decorated them. Their creativity was contagious. Teams were joined by DIY ninja and Cityline personality Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, who lent her artistic insight and celebrated with the winning teams.
“I have to say the playhouse designs this year are really top-notch, and it would be hard to pick just one because really when you look at each one individually, it’s all about those little hidden details that at first glance you didn’t notice, and then the second time you look at it it has a car for a doorknob for example. … You can really see the thought process, the love and care that’s gone into the designs and brought the teams together to have these amazing creations.”
— Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, Design & DIY expert, Cityline personality
CUMIS and The Cooperators have been huge supporters of Habitat Halton-Mississauga, participating in Habitat’s Pembrooke home in Oakville, sponsoring a townhome in Habitat’s 2016 Glendor Avenue build and being a home ownership sponsor for Habitat’s upcoming 18-home build on Queensway Drive in Burlington. It is because of partners like CUMIS that Habitat is able to continue its important work of providing affordable housing for local communities.
“You have continued to be a driving force within our organizations to thousands of families needing safe housing. CUMIS, you have worked with us, you think outside the box on ways to engage your employees and today we are so thrilled to be here for the second annual CUMIS Cooperators playhouse challenge.”
— John Gerrard, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga
A team of judges evaluated all of the playhouses based on the quality of build, their use of creativity, the sale-ability of the finished product and the amount of fun the team had while completing it.
Honourable mentions went to teams Fab Five and Diva Den. Third place went to There’s No Place Like Space, a dark blue playhouse complete with glow-in-the-dark stars and a spaceship painted around the door. The second place winner was Go Wild, with a jungle-green playhouse including a lizard on the roof, a snake and monkey poking through the front windows and ferns adorning the front. Finally, in first place was Street Dreams, a playhouse which looked just like a mini garage, even featuring a gas pump.
These winning playhouses, and all 11 other unique creations, will be for sale in Habitat ReStores very soon. Proceeds from the sale of the playhouses will help Habitat continue to work towards our mission of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Keep your eye on our Facebook page for updates, and visit our website for more information on Habitat’s work in the community.