Putting the 'play' in playhouses

Although Sarah Miller enjoys a reasonable amount of variety at her job as a civil project engineer for DPR Construction – alternating between desk work and being in the field – it's not often that she gets to play.

But 'play' has been the operative word for Miller and a few coworkers, as they build a playhouse for a Henrico CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) fundraiser.

The "Home for Good" event, timed to coincide with Child Abuse Prevention Month, is modeled after that of a similar nonprofit in Texas that raised funds by selling chances to win donated playhouses.

On April 16, with the help of local builders, CASA placed three one-of-a-kind playhouses on display at Short Pump Town Center. While the houses are on display (through May 2), interested parties can earn a chance to win their favorite with each $5 donation to CASA.

Organizers hope that this inaugural fundraiser not only will help promote Henrico CASA's mission of advocating for children who've experienced abuse and neglect but also will highlight the increased risk of child abuse during the pandemic – or any time of stress and uncertainty – and the ever-present need for the community to support them.

As CASA board member Anne Preston Farmer says of Home for Good: "The title is so appropriate, since the builders are doing good – building for the kids who are getting a playhouse, and helping all the CASA kids getting homes."

Hard-hat heaven
But the benefits of Home for Good don't stop with the children, says Miller.

Designing and assembling the playhouse has added a whole new level of fun for Miller and her fellow DPR playhouse crew members.

"We don't get much chance to actually build things," she says with a grin. "I love it!"

With a dad involved in the building trades, Miller learned to handle tools at a young age, and she enjoys the idea that the child who gets the DPR house will have a space to putter and build.

Housed during the build at a shop in Byrd Industrial Park, the DPR playhouse has a modern construction theme and what Miller calls a "job trailer feel,” as well as painted scenes of a helicopter, cranes and other work vehicles viewed against a backdrop of the Richmond skyline.

"The chopper harkens to our VCU job, with medevac copters flying above,” Miller says. "We wanted the house to reflect the construction that happens within our community."

The playhouse comes furnished with such accessories as a kid-sized carpenter's bench, pipe-and-board shelving, and mini-hard hats – colored both pink and blue.

Cottage for a cause
Megan Carter of Southern Traditions echoes Miller's comments about enjoying the hands-on aspects of constructing their playhouse.

The build has been a family affair for Carter and her husband, Robert, who own the company. Her husband – who began his construction career working for a framing contractor at age 16 – framed the playhouse in the driveway of their home off Nuckols Road.

Though he shifted years ago from actual building tasks to the role of running the business, he told his wife “I know how to do this!” she recalls with a laugh.

Both her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend embraced the project as well, Carter says, and learned a lot during the "driveway" stage of the build before the house was trailered to a job site in Chesdin Landing for the addition of walls and roof. The finished playhouse has a "Cottage Charm" theme, with rustic touches like a porch with columns, shingled siding and a loft window.

Carter confesses that she knew next to nothing about Henrico CASA until a neighbor who works for the nonprofit approached them, saying he thought the fundraiser would be "right up their alley."

When she learned that CASA advocates volunteer their time on behalf of children from difficult home situations, she was eager to help with the project. As a mom of three, she knows how important it is for children to have supportive adults in their lives – even in far-less-stressful situations than those faced by CASA youth.

"Kids need empathy and guidance just going to a doctor appointment," Carter says emphatically. "A 10-year-old can't figure this out!"

While it has been challenging finding the time to work on the playhouse, Carter says, her family has been amply rewarded for their efforts. Not only are they gratified to know that the fundraiser will benefit children served by CASA, she says, but they have delighted in the break from the sameness of their day-to-day routine.

Robert, who spends the majority of his time in administrative work such as estimating and meeting with contractors, relished the chance to heft a hammer and build something from the ground up.

As for Megan Carter, she handles the billing and financial end of the business.

"I'm behind the computer all day," she says with a wry grin. "And this is a much more fun activity than putting in invoices!"

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A third playhouse, built by 'Classic Construction' and reflecting a "Meadow View" theme, is also displayed at Center Court in Short Pump Town Center through May 2. To learn more about the Home for Good playhouses and/or make donations for opportunities to win a playhouse, visit http://henricocasa.org/homeforgood or call Henrico CASA at 501-1670.