Children's program in its second year

The Playhouse Project is a monthlong fundraiser for Easter Seals East Georgia Inc.

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"It's new to us," said Sheila Thomas, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization. "It hasn't been done here before, but this has been done in other communities very successfully. So we decided to do it here."

The organization approached three high schools in the area that have construction programs -- Harlem, Evans and Butler.

"We asked them if they would be willing to build a ... playhouse of their design, and they readily agreed," she said. "The students designed it. They built the skids that the house is on and then they built the playhouse.

"They worked really hard on this. They've done a really good job putting them together, and we really do appreciate the support they've given us."

Each school built a house. Raffle tickets are available for $5 each, and purchasers can check a box on the ticket next to the playhouse they would like to win. The school that gets the most tickets in its box will win an award, Thomas said.

The drawing for the houses will be Monday.

Easter Seals East Georgia has served the Augusta area since 1962.

The adult program provides services to those of working age who have a documented disability that would be a barrier to employment, Thomas said.

"This is a transition program, so we're trying to move them from not working to working at some level, whether it's part time or full time, whatever they are capable of," she said.

The adult program's services include vocational evaluation, a work adjustment program, job placement, community training and skills training. Clients may use one or all of the program's services, depending on their individual needs and goals, she said.

The statewide children's program is just in its second year of operation. It serves families with children who are living at home and have a physical, cognitive, developmental or medical disability.

The families aren't current Medicaid recipients, and they don't meet eligibility requirements for Medicaid.

"We depend heavily on community support," Thomas said. "We rely on donations to make it."

Sponsors for the Playhouse Project are Johnson, Laschober & Associates; Pratt-Dudley Builders Supply Co.; American Institute of Architects, Augusta Chapter; and R.D. Brown Contractors.

For information about the raffle or Easter Seals East Georgia, call (706) 667-9695 or go to www.eastersealseastgeorgia.org.