About the Author
Jane Harf, Community Coordinator Consultant
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I’ve always believed that getting involved in the community is about building connections that last. Whether it’s getting a chance to meet with people in the community face to face just to have a conversation, or taking part in a broader project, I am always looking to grow our partnerships with the communities we serve–and our team’s involvement with Project Playhouse is a shining example.
On September 26, our team joined forces with Habitat for Humanity Southeast Ohio at the Fairfield County Workforce Center for a day dedicated to community, creativity, and giving back. Habitat for Humanity Southeast Ohio is a nonprofit organization that builds strength, stability, and self-reliance through housing.
This partnership was centered around Project Playhouse, an initiative to build playhouses for local families, providing children with a safe place to play and imagine what home means to them. Proceeds raised go directly towards building new affordable housing in the area.
A Hands-On Approach to Giving Back
At National Grid Renewables, charitable giving means more to us when we’re on the ground, working alongside the people we serve. When I first met Stephanie Taylor, Fairfield County’s Habitat for Humanity outreach leader, Project Playhouse stood out as an ideal way for our team to get involved in a hands-on way.
“It’s easy to write a check, but it takes real commitment to show up, roll up your sleeves, and be part of the process.”
Project Playhouse gave our team a chance to do exactly that. Our crew of six team members, some coming all the way from Minnesota, spent the day designing and building a playhouse specifically for a local family. About a week before the event, we received an email from Habitat sharing the family’s preferences: the daughter loved princesses, the son was a Spider-Man fan, and they both requested the colors purple and orange. Armed with this inspiration, our team created a custom design that brought their dreams to life.
The Day of the Build
The event took place at the Fairfield County Workforce Center, a large community space with plenty of room for each group’s playhouse setup. As we arrived, our designated floor space was stocked with materials: boards, paint, shingles, and the beginnings of a playhouse structure. We divided up tasks—some team members took on painting, while others managed the roofing and assembly.
“It definitely was a team-building exercise. We had a plan, but we also had a few pieces painted on the wrong sides!”
As the playhouse came together, we carefully added purple and orange accents, freehand drawings, and stencils that matched the children’s interests. Eventually, we had transformed the raw materials into a colorful, imaginative playhouse ready for its new home. As proud as we were of ourselves, it really hit home when the family arrived to see the finished product.
The kids darted in and out, exploring every inch of their new play space, while their parents and a grandparent expressed appreciation. Seeing their gratitude firsthand was a powerful reminder of the small ways community involvement can make a difference.
“People often see big companies as outsiders who come in, complete a project, and leave. But for us, this is about so much more. Being there, interacting with the families–it gave us a real sense of connection and belonging in the community.”
Building on Our Commitment
Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Southeast Ohio and the experience with Project Playhouse is just the beginning. For all the communities in which we are involved, we aim to prove that we’re here for the long haul. This day that we spent building the playhouse reminded us that we are a part of something much bigger, and we left feeling excited and motivated to do even more in Fairfield County.
