CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —
For 35 years, Habitat for Humanity - Corpus Christi has been building homes and offering financial literacy to those struggling in our community.
The non-profit's mission is to lift people out of poverty by bringing people together to build homes and hope.
But the Habitat for Humanity doesn't just help build full-size homes for families, they're also on a mission to give kids in low-income families a house of their own.
This year will be the non-profit's third year conducting Project Playhouse - a fundraising partnership established between the nonprofit and other local businesses and organizations to build small wooden playhouses for children in low-income families.
"We already have six set aside for various families right now. We do ask that they be low income. We want this to be a project where this is given to them, and it enriches their family history," interim executive director Michele Burns said.
Part of a local business or organization's sponsorship of the event includes the purchase of playhouse supplies.
"Then they will send their employees, often times for a team building exercise, to come build a playhouse. Then the families are also there, and they're brought in for presentation of the playhouse," Burns said.
Burns adds that a small playhouse means a lot more to child than people may realize, especially if their family is struggling financially.
With over 20 years of working for Habitat for Humanity all around the state, Burns say there's something special about helping a family's child.
“If you're in Habitat for a long time, you say it's the kids that get your heart more than anything,” Burns said. “To see children get a playhouse, to see children get a home where maybe it's the first time they've ever had an actual bedroom because they've been sleeping on the floor in their parents' room. Kids will become so excited over any assistance like that."
When people in low-income families often go without certain luxuries, helping a family build something that puts a smile on their child's face is a memory that burns says many volunteers never forget.
“You just think of a little boy or a little girl having a playhouse and running in and out of it and having such a great time, it does warm your heart,” Burns said.
Habitat for Humanity is still looking for 11 low-income families to gift one of those a brand new, custom playhouse to.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying to receive a playhouse for your child, click here for the application.