Before builder Matt Means of Tulsa, Okla.-based LandMark Resources, had children of his own, he admits, donating his company’s resources to an organization that helps kids was not an idea that would have crossed his mind. But now that he has two daughters, he’s more aware of how vulnerable children are. That’s why when he heard about a fund-raising event to benefit Tulsa CASA—which stands for court appointed special advocates—he decided to pitch in.
For the past two years, Tulsa CASA, just one of 900 CASA programs nationwide that provides court representatives to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children, has held a special fund-raising event called Project Playhouse (changed this year to Operation Playhouse). Volunteer organizations build and donate fabulous playhouses that are then sold through a silent auction, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Tulsa CASA.
“Being in the building business, I felt it would be a fun project, and a good way to give back to the community, and also would give me some exposure,” Means says. “I have two daughters, a 1 ½-year-old and a 3 ½-year-old, so that’s why we built the Princess Cottage.” Two other Tulsa builders, Castlerock/Eaglerock Builders and Eagle II Homebuilders, also contributed playhouses for the fund-raiser.
Several of LandMark’s building crew, along with some of its subcontractors, contributed to the project: The local lumber company donated the materials; the trim carpenter built the playhouse; the painting contractor painted it; and LandMark’s designer fitted out the interiors. Painted pink and purple, the 64-square-foot Princess Cottage was fully furnished inside with a kitchen, table and chairs, and toys, and also incorporated a front porch, an interior ladder to a second-level exterior balcony with a slide, window boxes, working shutters, and a swing-set.
All the playhouses were put on display at a local mall for two weeks to generate interest and bids. The Princess Cottage was auctioned off for $4,800. The event raised a total of about $10,000 for Tulsa CASA.
LandMark’s charitable work didn’t end with Project Playhouse 2007. This year, the company participated in a new-homes tour fund-raiser that also benefited Tulsa CASA.
Giving back to the community is a value that Means was raised with, he says. “My parents instilled in me the idea that if you’re able to do it, there’s some good satisfaction from being able to give back and help,” he says. Plus, “You get some good marketing, you meet some contacts. It’s good to do for the charity, and also for marketing the business.”
