Los Angeles , Calif., September 27 —The American Girl “Kit’s Home on Abbott Place” custom-crafted playhouse, created to help raise funds for the temporarily homeless, is the spotlight attraction of American Girl Day today from noon to 4 p.m. This family-friendly event is co-hosted by Pardee Homes and American Girl and staged at The Lakes in Thousand Oaks where the Project Playhouse™ village is on display.

Project Playhouse is the signature fund-raising event of HomeAid, a national non-profit that provides quality shelter for temporarily homeless individuals and families. Nationwide, this population includes more than one million children.

Madison Davenport, the young actress who played Ruthie in the feature film, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, makes a special guest appearance from 1 to 2 p.m. today and American Girl Day also includes tours of the playhouse village, American Girl craft activities and surprise giveaways. In addition, the co-hosts plan a Kit Kittredge doll drawing, and a special gift for everyone purchasing a $2 for admission ticket to the village.

As with all Project Playhouse activities, proceeds from ticket sales and other donations will benefit HomeAid’s housing development program in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Playhouse visitors can register to win Kit’s playhouse in the Opportunity Drawing. Opportunity Drawing tickets are $5 per ticket and $20 for 5 tickets. Purchase of 5 tickets also includes a scoop of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.  See www.HomeAidlaven.org/playhouse. 

Honoring Kit Kittredge, American Girl’s popular 1930s-era character, “Kit’s Home on Abbott Place” is a joint creation by Pardee Homes and American Girl, maker of books, dolls and accessories that celebrate girls. Featuring cottage architecture and a unique tree house element, the playhouse brings Kit’s world to life and includes her roll top desk, typewriter, camera, telephone, a mini-armoire, Cincinnati Reds memorabilia and Grace, the basset hound. Bassenian/Lagoni Architects and Color Design Art joined with Pardee Homes and American Girl to create the design; landscaping is by Nick Williams & Associates, Inc.

Pardee Homes’ Joyce Mason, Chair of Project Playhouse 2008, said American Girl Day underscores multiple efforts by the noted homebuilder and American Girl to heighten awareness of HomeAid. “HomeAid’s mission resonates with the homebuilding industry and with American Girl, and Kit Kittredge is an ideal inspiration for this year’s playhouse,” Mason said.  “Kit’s concern for the less fortunate, her can-do spirit and her determination to spread the word are all part of the HomeAid story, and we are delighted with American Girl’s participation in this year’s Project Playhouse.” 

Pardee Homes and American Girl have joined forces for three consecutive years on behalf of Project Playhouse. The company’s Los Angeles/Ventura construction team has built five playhouses this year, which include one for Riverside, part of Pardee Homes’ Inland Empirehomebuilding region, and three devoted to HomeAid fundraising in Dallas, Chicago and New York. Pardee Homes has created 24 playhouses over its 14-year commitment to HomeAid, and fund-raising, direct contributions and in-kind donations generated by the company and its employees and subcontractors are estimated at more than $2 million.

Prior to taking its place at the Project Playhouse village at The Lakes, “Kit’s Home on AbbottPlace” was featured at the Los Angeles premiere of Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. The movie is American Girl’s first full-length feature film. It stars Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin and is based on the bestselling Kit book series by Valerie Tripp.

Stacey Guttman, general manager of American Girl Place® Los Angeles said American Girl’s connection with HomeAid furthers her company’s long-standing commitment to children’s charities nationwide. “HomeAid and the Building Industry Association’s dedication to making a difference in the lives of families and children perfectly complement our mission at American Girl,” she said. “We’re thrilled to join Pardee Homes in this worthy cause and are especially pleased to showcase Kit’s playhouse home here at The Lakes.”