Blue Jeans, BBQ, & Blue Prints Festival

Team - Tucker High School

Kristie was both excited and shocked to learn she had been selected to receive a playhouse for her granddaughter, Aveona, age 6. She originally came across the playhouse program while searching for home repair services for her mom.

When she saw the opportunity, she thought, “Why not?” Kristie immediately knew Aveona would love it. She enjoys being outside, adores playhouses, and has been consistently asking for one of her own. The timing felt right, even if the selection itself was unexpected.

For now, the playhouse remains a surprise. But Kristie already knows the moment will be emotional. When Aveona realizes what her grandma did for her, she’ll probably cry.

With her love for Lilo & Stitch, pink, and anything covered in glitter, Aveona’s new playhouse will be more than just a place to play. It will be a space that reflects her personality — bright, fun, and full of joy.

Team - Ciena 

Kimberly has long been familiar with Habitat for Humanity and stays up to date through our newsletter. When she saw that we were building playhouses again, she knew she had to apply.

While she often takes her daughters, Kira and Kari, to the park, she also wanted to create a special place for them to play right at home. Kimberly is in the process of purchasing a home, which would make her and her siblings the first generation to own their homes.

To her, home means family, safety, and a space to grow. She hopes to pass that sense of pride, responsibility, and possibility on to her daughters, Kira (9) and Kari (6). For now, the playhouse is a secret. But Kimberly already knows what the reaction will be. When Kira and Kari find out they’re getting a place of their very own, “they’re going to be really excited,” she shared.

With their love for Hello Kitty, unicorns, rainbows, and the colors cyan and pink, their new playhouse will soon become a bright and joyful space to call their own.

Team - South State Bank

Valerie has long been a supporter of Habitat and values what the organization stands for. When she heard about the opportunity to apply for a playhouse, she immediately thought of her grandson, Grayson, age 5. He’s an active, outdoors-loving boy who would go to the park every single day if he could, just to run, play, and be around other kids. A playhouse at home felt like the perfect gift — a space where his energy and imagination could thrive.

Valerie didn’t expect to be selected. With so many deserving families, she assumed the chances were slim. When she found out she had been chosen, she was both excited and humbled.

To Valerie, home means family, connection to community, and having a safe place to simply be. Soon, that sense of home will include a special space just for Grayson. She hasn’t told him about the playhouse yet and plans to wait until the festival gets closer. When he finds out, it will be an unforgettable surprise.

Grayson loves the animated movie Cars, especially Lightning McQueen. An auto shop–themed playhouse inspired by his favorite character would be the perfect setting for big imagination, fast adventures, and countless afternoons of play.

Team - NBC

Liz first connected with Habitat through last year’s Blue Jeans, BBQ & Blueprints Festival and has stayed involved by subscribing to the newsletter. Inspired by the work she saw, she recently signed up to volunteer and has already completed her trainings.

When she saw the playhouses built in 2025, Liz and her family were excited. She has a nice-sized yard and immediately imagined a playhouse where her grandkids — Drea, D'Miya, Drew, and Erilyse, ages 6 to 9 — could spend time playing together. It felt like the perfect way to create a space just for them.

For Liz, home means security, peace, and being surrounded by wonderful, helpful neighbors. It’s the sense of community that makes a house truly feel like home.

The playhouse will be a surprise for the grands, and Liz already knows the reaction will be unforgettable. When they see it, she says they’re going to “freak out.”

The kids love Roblox games and characters, and Liz imagines a blue playhouse with purple trim — a bright and playful space where their creativity and imagination can take over while they spend time together at grandma’s house.

Team - Alpha Kappa Alpha

Jasmine has known about Habitat for some time and hopes to one day become a Habitat homeowner herself. Because of that connection, she was excited to learn about the playhouse program and decided to apply for her children — Kia, Khloe’, King, Kelsey, and Kaleigh, who range in age from 2 to 11.

Her kids love being outside, something Jasmine laughs about because she says she wasn’t much of an outdoor kid growing up. For them, though, being outdoors comes naturally. A playhouse felt like the perfect way to give them a space where they can explore, play together, and enjoy even more time outside.

To Jasmine, home is a safe haven — a place to step away from the chaos of the world and find peace. It’s where her family can feel secure and simply be together.

The playhouse will be a surprise for the kids, and Jasmine already knows the reaction will be big. When they find out, all five of them will be super excited to see a space built just for them.

The children are big fans of Stranger Things, so a playhouse inspired by the show will bring a fun and adventurous twist to their outdoor space — the perfect setting for imagination, exploration, and plenty of play.

Team - Delta Sigma Theta

Shannara has known about Habitat DeKalb for about two years. When she saw that playhouses were being built again, she decided to apply, even though she assumed she wouldn’t be selected with so many families applying. “Honestly, I was shocked,” Shannara shared as she recalled receiving the email.

She applied hoping to surprise her daughter, Solar, age 5, who loves playhouses and dollhouses. Solar is also a big fan of Bluey, Hello Kitty, and LOL Dolls, and she’s drawn to rainbows and unicorns — anything colorful and full of imagination.

For now, the playhouse is being kept a secret. But Shannara already knows what’s coming. When Solar sees it and realizes it’s hers, “she is going to be overexcited,” Shannara said with a smile.

To Shannara, home means a safe place — somewhere to make fun memories, enjoy family, and simply be together. And soon, Solar will have a little home of her own — a bright, joyful space where her imagination can grow and new memories can begin.

Team - State Farm

Rashalonte first saw a playhouse being built at Home Depot and immediately thought how perfect it would be for her two children, Kenneth and Ta’Mar. As a subscriber to our newsletter, she was excited to learn that we would be building playhouses again. She decided to apply, thinking, “Why not?” — and was shocked when she was selected.

To Rashalonte, home means family, peace of mind, and safety. This playhouse is an extension of that — a small space designed just for her children to imagine, explore, and play.

For now, she’s keeping their “little home” a surprise. But she already knows the reaction will be priceless. Kenneth and Ta’Mar, who love Paw Patrol and Hello Kitty, are sure to lose their minds with excitement when they see a place of their very own.

Team - Shallowford Presbyterian Church

Zakeya keeps up with Habitat DeKalb by following along on social media, where she stays connected to the organization’s events and programs. When she saw the playhouse program, she immediately thought of her daughter, Mahogany.

Mahogany is the youngest of five children, with siblings ranging from 14 to 27 years old — making her, as Zakeya puts it, “the baby baby” of the family. She loves playgrounds and spending time outside, so the idea of having a playhouse at home felt perfect. It will give her a space of her own to play, explore, and host playdates with friends. With Mahogany’s birthday coming up, the playhouse will also make a meaningful and memorable gift.

For Zakeya, home represents protection, security, and stability — a foundation for her family. It’s a place where they can relax, smile, and enjoy being together without constantly feeling on the go. Home is where family can slow down, feel at ease, and simply enjoy each other’s presence.

The playhouse will be a complete surprise for Mahogany, and Zakeya is already looking forward to the moment she finds out. Mahogany has a big personality, and Zakeya joked that “the theatrics will be theatrics-ing.” One thing is certain — she’ll be incredibly excited, especially knowing she’ll get to share her new playhouse with friends.

Mahogany also has a deep love for animals, birds, and wildlife, often sharing facts that leave her mom wondering where she learned them. A farm and wildlife–themed playhouse will be the perfect fit — a little space where her curiosity and imagination can grow while she enjoys the outdoors she already loves.

Team - Ciena

Dayshia has known about Habitat for Humanity for some time and even attended our very first Blue Jeans, BBQ & Blueprints Festival in 2024. As a supporter of Habitat DeKalb, she understands that home means stability, comfort, and a place where families can feel secure.

This year, that meaning became even more personal. Pedro, age 12, was thrilled to learn he would be receiving a playhouse — and Dayshia was just as excited. The surprise was even sweeter knowing someone had thoughtfully applied on Pedro’s behalf.

Pedro loves anime and is a big fan of Naruto. His favorite character, Itachi, stands out to him for his quiet strength and loyalty. Soon, Pedro will have a space of his own — a place for imagination, creativity, and adventure.

For Dayshia, it represents more than a playhouse. It’s another reminder of what “home” truly means: stability, comfort, and a community that shows up for one another.

Team - UPS

Jantineal has known about Habitat for some time and has even expressed interest in the Habitat Homeownership Program. When she heard about the playhouse program, she thought it would be a great opportunity to apply for her son, Maverick, age 4.

She loved the idea of giving Maverick a space of his own — a place where he could play, explore his imagination, and spend time outside right at home. A playhouse felt like the perfect way to create more moments of fun and discovery for him.

To Jantineal, home is a place where family gathers to talk, connect, and spend time together. It’s a place you can always return to. As the world changes around you, home remains the one place where you can decide what changes and what stays the same.

The playhouse will be a surprise for Maverick, and Jantineal already knows the reaction will be priceless. He gets excited about everything — even something as simple as an apple — so she knows this will be a moment he won’t forget.

Maverick loves Sonic the Hedgehog and Hot Wheels, so a playhouse inspired by speed, adventure, and racing will be the perfect fit for his energetic personality. Soon, he’ll have a space of his own where his imagination can race just as fast as his favorite characters.

Team - Publix

Philippa has known about Habitat for as long as she can remember, ever since a close friend became a Habitat homeowner. That connection stayed with her over the years, so when she learned about the playhouse program, she decided to apply for her grandson, Noah, age 7.

When she received the email saying her family had been selected, she could hardly believe it. “I’ve never won anything before,” Philippa said with a laugh. “So it was a shock when I saw, ‘You’ve been selected…’”

For Philippa, home provides safety and comfort — a place to call her own and where her family can build lasting memories. She requested the playhouse so Noah could have a special space of his own and even more reason to enjoy time outdoors. Noah is a huge Transformers fan. His room is practically a Transformers museum, so a Transformers-themed playhouse feels like the perfect fit. With favorites like Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, his imagination already runs full speed.

The playhouse will be a surprise, and Philippa already knows the reaction will be big. When Noah sees it, he’s going to be super excited — stepping into a space designed just for him.