Dillard-Jones Builders' 2012 Southern Living Showcase Home Raises $10,000 for GHS Children's Hospital

The 2012 Southern Living Showcase Home by Dillard-Jones Builders raised $10,000 and collected almost 300 toys, coloring books, bubbles and other items for the Child Life program at Children's Hospital of Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS). Dillard-Jones President Tom Dillard and Vice President Susan Peace-Vernon presented the items and a check for $10,000 to hospital officials during a news conference on Thursday, June 14.

Dillard-Jones Builders does not charge admission to tour its Southern Living Showcase Homes, rather donations are collected to benefit a local charity. GHS Children’s Hospital was selected as the non-profit partner of the 2012 Southern Living Showcase Home held May 4-27, with the Child Life Program, specifically, benefiting from contributions by Showcase Home visitors.

“Once again, the generosity of those who toured the Southern Living Showcase Home was overwhelming,” said Dillard-Jones President Tom Dillard. “We are extremely excited this year to be able to present to GHS Children’s Hospital a check for $10,000, along with almost 300 toys and other items for use by the hospital’s Child Life program.”

The Child Life program at Children's Hospital is not completely included in the hospital's operating budget, relying on the generosity of corporate partners, individual donors and special events to raise the funds to purchase needed items such as coloring books, crayons, markers, bubbles, musical and light up toys, DVD’s, plastic and Match Box cars. Child Life specialists use the items to help children and their families cope with potentially traumatic events, and to help reduce the stress and anxiety that many children experience in hospitals and health care settings. GHS Children's Hospital is one of only two hospitals in the Upstate that have certified child life specialists as part of its health care team.

“We are very thankful for Dillard-Jones’ partnership with Children’s Hospital, specifically our Child Life program,” said Gina Blohm, Program Manager for Children's Hospital of Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center. “We are grateful to Dillard-Jones for the opportunity to be a part of this beautiful Showcase Home tour, and to all of those who made donations.”

The 2012 Southern Living Showcase Home at River Reserve Phase Four in Piedmont, SC was the fourth Southern Living Showcase Home presented by Dillard-Jones Builders. The 2012 tour welcomed more than 5,000 visitors during four weekends in May.

Established in 2004, Dillard-Jones Builders is a member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program representing the national magazine in Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC. Dillard-Jones was named the Southern Living Custom Builder of the Year in 2009 and 2011 – the first homebuilder to win the prestigious national award twice. For more information, visit www.dillardjones.com.