Habitat for Humanity, BRAGB Bring LEGO Competition to MetroWest Playhouse Build-A-Thon

From Habitat for Habitat for Humanity MetroWest Greater Worcester:

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest Greater Worcester is pleased to announce that the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB) will sponsor a LEGO “Build Your Dream Home Competition” during the MetroWest Operation Playhouse Build-a-Thon. The Build-a-Thon will be held on Saturday, September 10th at the Framingham Centre Common. Operation Playhouse is a day long event during which local businesses and organizations can sponsor and build a customized playhouse for the children of local veterans and active military personnel as a way to say “thank you” for their service. The playhouses will form a small village on the Common for families , and at the end of the day, the playhouses will be revealed to the children for whom they were created. Proceeds from the event will support Habitat’s local home builds in Wayland and Holliston as well as their Critical Home repair program. The Presenting Sponsor is MetroWest Medical Center, (MWMC) a Tenet Healthcare hospital who will also build a playhouse on site. Additional sponsors of the Build-a-Thon include Align Credit Union, NorthEast Community Bank, Mirick O’Connell, Microsoft, and Middlesex Savings Bank.

During the day, BRAGB will sponsor a competition for children between the ages of 5-12 to design and build their dream home using LEGOs. This hour-long build competition will feature a kit of 600 LEGO pieces for the child to to build a “dream” home. At the conclusion of the build, a panel of industry professionals will offer awards based upon design, creativity and construction.

“We were searching for a unique kid-friendly activity to add to the Build-a-Thon to encourage young people’s creativity while learning about an important issue for everyone – decent affordable shelter. The LEGO competition is a perfect fit within the event and we are so appreciative of the folks at BRAGB for stepping up to sponsor this opportunity. They are a terrific partner!” said Bonnie Biocchi, Director of Development for Habitat MWGW.

"We are thrilled to include our network of home building professionals and service providers in this great event," said BRAGB Executive Officer Lorraine DeVaux. "We are encouraging children to appreciate the value of having a home of their own, with something that will resonate at their age such as a LEGO home or a Playhouse. We're grateful to have found such a wonderful way to give back to the community and support our military families in a way that ties so closely to our Association's mission. "

Operation Playhouse will also showcase a “Doors of Hope” display. To support Habitat’s mission to strenghten self-reliance by building safe, affordable housing, the “Doors of Hope” will be sponsored and decorated by local small businesses, churches and municipalities and will be placed throughout the common during the event.

If you are interested in participating in this event or need further information about Project Playhouse or Habitat for Humanity MW/GW, please contact Bonnie Biocchi at bonnie.biocchi@habitatmwgw.org.

Image courtesy of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest Greater Worcester.