As part of the 2014 Parade of Playhouses charity event in Dallas, TX, HARMAN’s AMX installed their “Seas the Day” playhouse. The AMX playhouse joins a host of other creative playhouses built and donated by local companies in the 19th annual charitable event, which runs from August 1-17. The event aims to raise awareness and funds for Dallas CASA, an organization of volunteers dedicated to helping abused and neglected children have safe, permanent homes.
The AMX team and their playhouse.
The company partnered with exhibit house, Southwest Displays & Events (SWD), of Carrollton, TX, to build this year’s sailboat-themed playhouse. “Seas the Day” effectively turns your backyard into a lake with this creative adaptation of a sailboat, complete with a sail, a flip-down catamaran/hammock, a U.S. flag to hoist when passengers are aboard, life preservers, and even a crow’s nest perch atop a main mast to keep watch.
“The true creative challenge is thinking like a kid and designing a playhouse with lots of activities that also looks cool,” said Jeff Kindig, AMX VP of marketing strategy. “But in the end, we built the playhouse for the children.”
In keeping with the summer water theme, this year’s playhouse also includes some fun backyard extras like a Slip ‘N Slide kit, not to mention squirt guns and towels to dry off after a long day at sea. “There is no better feeling than knowing our efforts are going to help kids find safe homes and give them a chance to have fun, too,” added Chris Bruce, AMX tradeshow manager.
From August 1-17, Dallas CASA, AMX, and SWD invite and encourage the community to visit NorthPark Center and the online Parade of Playhouses to check out all of this year’s playhouses, learn more about Dallas CASA, and purchase raffle tickets for any of the playhouses. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Visitors can also learn more about supporting and volunteering with this extremely worthwhile cause.
“You really have to come out to NorthPark and see all the creative playhouses in person to get the full effect,” said Tony Couzelis, AMX director, marketing engineering. “We all look forward to this project every year because we get to think like kids and build something just for fun,” added Jason Fain, SWD employee. “Parade of Playhouses gives children who come to NorthPark the chance to win a fabulous playhouse,” said Kathleen M. LaValle, Dallas CASA Executive Director & President. “At the same time, it gives abused and neglected children the best chance of having the safe and loving homes they’ve dreamed of.”
