Local Builder and Freeport High School Club Team Up for Cottages for Kids

Members of the Freeport High School Key Club rolled up their sleeves and built one of the Cottages for Kids on display in Rosemary Beach. This is the 3rd cottage the club has built and this year's cottage is titled “The Pirate Ship HHK” (healthy, happy kids).

The Freeport students built the cottage from the ground up after school and on Saturdays. Their creation, along with four others on display during November, will be auctioned to support Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN). The auction will be held online, with raffle tickets also available at www.cottagesforkids.org. 

Three years ago, Key Club sponsor Ted Missildine was looking for a project to get his students involved in the community. He was familiar with CVHN and after a little research, decided that a Cottages for Kids project would be perfect for his students. Ted gave local builder Randy Wise and his son Caleb a call, and without hesitation Randy agreed to sponsor the project, providing all materials and technical assistance as needed.

"It isn’t everyday that you see or hear about high school kids devoting their free time to help an organization dedicated to providing health care to school-aged children. That’s what got me involved from day one," says Caleb. 

Ted wanted his students to be hands on with the cottage, not just have someone build it for them. He's proud that they were able to build their last two cottages without any assistance.
 
“Students can’t just write a check, but they can roll up their sleeves and get involved,” says Ted. “Randy is a great guy, always giving back to the community in any way he can.”  

Ted and one of his students designed the logo for the sail, while Carla Hunt’s Fabric and Fibers class made the sail and painted on the logo. With about a month to build the cottage and while working around basketball, football and volleyball practices, along with SATs and ACTs on Saturdays, it was challenge to complete, but Ted is a great leader who insists on being on time. The cottage was delivered on Nov. 4 to Rosemary Beach – right on time.

CVHN was created in 2005 with the mission to enhance the lives of uninsured and underinsured school-aged children by providing free and immediate access to medical, dental, vision, and mental care. Based in Santa Rosa Beach, CVHN serves children in Walton and Okaloosa Counties through a volunteer network of over 95 local physicians, dentists, and other healthcare providers throughout the community. Through events like Cottages for Kids, CVHN is able to fulfill their mission. 

To learn more about Cottages for Kids and to donate to Children’s Volunteer Health Network, visit www.cottagesforkids.org. 

Cottages for Kids event in Rosemary Beach is open on weekends during November for kids and families to tour and enjoy the cottages. Although there is no entrance fee to the event, donations for CVHN are accepted. Come on out for a fun day at the Cottages, purchase raffle tickets, and make an online bid on your favorites!

Proceeds from the Cottages for Kids raffle and online auction support CVHN’s ongoing efforts to make sure every child in the community has access to the health and dental care they need and deserve.

For more details, event schedule, to purchase raffle tickets or bid on a Cottage, please visit www.CottagesForKids.org or call 850.622.3200.
 
 

Randy Wise Homes, Inc, is a locally-owned, general contracting company located in Niceville, Florida. For 35 years they have provided building and remodeling services in Niceville, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Freeport and Crestview. The firm specializes in custom homes and remodeling. Their Classic and Craftsman Homes divisions in new construction provide a variety of floor plans from which to choose, and offer both quality and value. Randy Wise Homes' goal is to achieve an honest combination of function and design, providing a practical, warm, and inviting living space that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come.

Key Club International is a student-led organization which provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership. Key Club is caring and competent student leaders transforming communities worldwide and Cottages For Kids is blessed to have the Freeport High School Key Club on board again this year!