Porters Restoration

HOBART — Ronald and Karen Robles of Dyer routinely participate in fundraiser raffles for local not-for-profits.

Besides helping the groups, their interest sometimes pays off in prizes — from small cash winnings to a Honda scooter.

Last week, the Robleses again won big during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana’s Building Lives playhouse raffle at Westfield Southlake mall.

“I was in shock when they called and told me I was the winner of one of the three playhouses, the one built by Porters Restoration Co.,” Ronald said. “My four children are grown, but I can put it in my back yard for my granddaughter.”

Three custom-built playhouses were designed, built and donated for the raffle, compliments of three local construction firms — Stash Construction Co., Midwest Construction Co. and Porters Restoration Co.

Robles bought his $10 ticket at the preview for last month’s Gary Air Show.

“It was for a good cause, I thought, and, if I didn’t win, that was OK. It was money well-spent,” he said.

Andy Arnold of Chesterton is the proud owner of the house built by Stash Construction. Like Robles, Arnold bought his ticket at the Gary Air Show preview.

“We buy raffle tickets all the time and have only won a few small cash prizes, never anything as big as this playhouse,” Arnold said. “I think it’s great that the construction companies are getting recognized for their parts in this. They do a lot of things for the community.”

Nancy Clifford of Valparaiso won the playhouse built by Midwest Construction of Griffith.

Alison Martin of the Boys & Girls Club recycled the playhouse raffle idea, a concept she first heard about many years ago.

“A former board member — and still a very good friend to our organization — Bonnie Coleman, brought the idea to me,” Martin said. “She was vacationing somewhere and saw a brochure on custom playhouses that were being raffled for a charity. It made sense to hold this kind of a raffle for Boys & Girls Clubs because the playhouses certainly are centered around children, fun and the development of their minds as they use imaginative play.”

Martin enlisted the help of Doris Leaf, owner of Stash Construction and a Boys & Girls Club board member.

Each contractor is delivering its playhouse to the respective winner.

Once Robles receives his prize, he will have to figure out how to get it into his back yard; he has a 6-foot-high fence and most likely will have to disassemble the house. But that’s a happy problem, he said, as the playhouse will be put to good use. His 9-year-old granddaughter, Vanessa Robles of Dyer, will see to that.

All proceeds raised through the playhouse raffle will benefit programs and services offered to Lake County youth who attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana.