Scott Christopher Homes Donating Large, Lavish Children’s Playhouse to American Cancer Society Charity Event

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 9, 2010  – After more than a quarter-century of building luxurious family homes, the latest project at Scott Christopher Homes is a unique, high-end children’s playhouse being built in the name of charity.

The Grand Rapids-based homebuilder is donating the 12-foot-high playhouse, valued at approximately $18,000, to the fight against cancer. The “House of Hope” will go to the highest bidder during a fundraising auction at the American Cancer Society’s eighth annual Cattle Baron’s Ball, to be held Aug. 13 at the Steelcase Town Hall, 1111 44th St. SE, Grand Rapids.

“It was a way to come together as a team to produce something good for the community and for an individual, but also as a way to help the American Cancer Society raise money,” said Matt Reinsma, director of operations at Scott Christopher Homes.

Scott Christopher, who founded the company in 1982, has a personal stake in finding a cancer cure. His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer about two years ago. After receiving medical treatment, her cancer is now in remission.

“It’s an opportunity to give back,” Christopher said of the playhouse donation. “Everyone’s lives have been touched by cancer.”

Company employees are volunteering their time to construct the playhouse, which will measure about 10.5 feet by 12 feet when completed and feature a loft, a seating area with a table and chairs and a deck. There will be a kitchen appointed with facsimiles of appliances. Even landscaping will be included.

“We wanted to build something that was really going to generate some excitement out there,” Reinsma said. Kids who go to the company’s website at www.scottchristopherhomes.com/playhouse can win prizes by entering a playhouse coloring contest.

As it has many times in the past, Scott Christopher Homes turned to Via Design in Grand Rapids for help. The company donated its design services for the playhouse.

“We approached them because they’re very competent at what they do and asked them if they’d put together a design for us, and I’m glad they did,” Reinsma said. “This thing’s pretty cool.”

Scott Christopher Homes has a long history of making anonymous charitable contributions but decided to openly promote its donation of the playhouse in an effort to inspire philanthropy at other businesses.

“We really want others to follow,” Reinsma said. “We hope people are fighting to build a playhouse next year.”

The homebuilder’s generous contribution of the playhouse to the fundraising auction is appreciated, said Linda Powers, distinguished events specialist with the American Cancer Society.

“Their passion for the fight against cancer is inspiring,” she said. “We are confident that the ‘House of Hope’ will not only generate valuable funds to support the society’s mission in west Michigan, but also serve as a reminder of the progress being made toward creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”

Employees of Scott Christopher Homes as well as its sister companies, Surpass Renovations and The Custom Shop, are encouraged to volunteer for community service because it boosts morale and builds teamwork, Reinsma said. Some workers have previously donated their skills to such organizations as Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland.

“Some people have an office party or they go bowling or they have a golf outing or something like that,” he said. “Well, we’re coming together to build something cool for some lucky kid somewhere. In the process, the American Cancer Society’s going to raise some money.”

The company specializes in constructing larger homes worth more than $1 million but also builds well-appointed cottages and smaller houses worth upward of $500,000. Its homes stand throughout greater Grand Rapids, and as far north as the Traverse City area and as far south as South Haven.

Scott Christopher Homes always has two primary goals when constructing a home, Reinsma said. One is to provide its clients with the most accurate upfront cost estimates. The other is to complete the work more quickly than other companies by being more organized and avoiding construction delays.

“Many organizations in town will sell the client low in an effort to get them drawn in and then proceed to charge them for extras along the way,” he said. “That’s a philosophy and approach that, long-term, just doesn’t work. If you’re presenting them with a cost increase every other day, that’s not fun.

“Our goal is to produce a project where the only surprises are pleasant ones.”