California

State Farm Builds Playhouse to Help Local Habitat Chapter

State Farm employee volunteers came to the Kern County Fairgrounds with hammers, saws, and paintbrushes, ready to contribute some sweat equity and time to build a children’s playhouse that will be raffled later in the year by the Golden Empire Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

With the construction expertise of Habitat members on hand to provide direction, over a dozen volunteers started from scratch and worked in shifts to build the slick, multi-colored playhouse. Painting and assembling continued over several days until it was completed.

“Projects like this playhouse build could only be possible with the great partnership our chapter has had with State Farm over the years … financial assistance along with volunteer help from employees in the Bakersfield Operations Center,” said local Habitat President and State Farm employee Paris Byington. Materials for the project totaling $3,000 were purchased through a State Farm Good Neighbor Giving grant.

The structure will be moved from the fairgrounds to a high visibility location where the public can see it and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win the kids’ dream house. The Chapter’s staff has been talking to local companies to find a location. They plan to hold the raffle during the Christmas season and the money raised will go to future projects sponsored by the Golden Empire Chapter.

The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for those in need. Currently, the local chapter has seven homes in Delano purchased through bank foreclosures that the group is rehabilitating. Once habitable, they will go to eligible families.

State Farm California has been a partner with the Golden Empire Habitat for Humanity for the 20 years of the local chapter’s existence, benefiting 52 families over the years.