2026 Lake County Dream House

Nicely situated on Jackson Street in the heart of historic Mentor, tours of the 29th Lake County YMCA Dream House will be the hottest ticket of the summer.

The massive undertaking, from a local builder and interior designer to a team of generous donors and workers, checks the box of keeping charitable dollars local. 

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” says Dick Bennett, Lake County YMCA CEO. “As one of the largest nonprofits in the area, we rely on these proceeds to directly support our programs and services.”

Three key areas that will benefit from the Dream House include youth development, well-being initiatives through fitness and sports, and expanding resources and opportunities within the community so people in Lake County can thrive.

“None of this would be possible without the generosity, dedication and hard work of our partners—builder Rick Osborne Jr., Osborne Real Estate Service, LLC and the Chevy Network and Classic Chevrolet,” he adds.

Funds from the Dream House also enable the Y to introduce new initiatives, enhance existing programs, and elevate resources and facilities to better serve its members and the community. In 2025, the Lake County Y served a total of 43,000 individuals, just under 16,000 of whom were children.

“We want to elevate our offerings to meet the needs of everyone in the community,” he says. “For instance, a new program for seniors that began last year at the Central YMCA in Painesville is Rock Steady Boxing. It’s a nationally certified program for people struggling with Parkinson’s disease. Our members loved it.”

Playing Up Historic Charm

Unlike past Dream Houses tucked into new subdivisions, this year’s home has a story to tell even before you walk through the front door.

Set in the heart of historic Mentor, across from Mentor Cemetery, the 3,100-square-foot home blends historic architecture with modern sensibility. Think classic Cape Cod dormers, crisp white board-and-batten siding, bold black shutters, a striking black metal roof and bright white windows. They work together to create a look that’s both nostalgic and fresh.

Every inch of the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home is optimized in smart design. Laura Gills of Laura Gills Interior Design has partnered with Rick on many new construction projects over the years and was up for the challenge with this one.

“We embraced an esthetic that follows the Ralph Lauren modern American design—warm, layered and effortlessly sophisticated,” she says. “He’s the quintessential American designer. We felt the historic setting called for something classic.” 

You’ll find lots of intricate millwork in the cabinetry, which is stark black in the kitchen, complemented by a hickory wood island and plenty of distinctive wainscoting and crown molding throughout the home.

“I felt a warmer palette suited the space, with touches of classic black and white and soft blues and greens to tie the airy, open-concept space together,” she says. 

Creating Spectacular Views

“The picturesque, 0.75-quarter-acre lot has so much natural beauty we wanted to showcase,” says Rick. “Marsh Creek meanders through the backyard, on its way to Lake Erie, and is surrounded by lush woods.”

To maximize the views, he designed expansive 12-foot decks on both the terrace level and first floor, off the walk-out basement and kitchen, 40-by-12 feet and 20-by-12 feet.

“I imagine a family with small children being a great fit with this home,” says Rick. “The yard and creek would be perfect to play in and explore. The home’s layout is an entertainer’s dream. I’d also see empty nesters who aren’t ready to downsize, but still need bedrooms for when the kids visit, to be right at home here.”'

Where Your Dollars Go

Kelly Penzenik, director of marketing and communications for the YMCA, reports the goal this year is to raise $500,000 in ticket sales.

“The funds go to programs like childcare, swim lessons, water safety classes and enrichment camps, as well as financial assistance we offer members who cannot afford a membership,” she says.

One niche initiative they offer in collaboration with Painesville schools is the Summer Learning Loss Prevention program. They identify students going into third grade who would benefit from a skills development program focused on reading competency. The free six-week program is led by local teachers and volunteers. 

But Wait, There’s More

As if the Dream House itself isn’t enough, the organizers have sweetened the payoff considerably. When you buy a ticket, you also have a chance to win a loaded 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT valued at more than $32,000, donated by Classic Chevrolet in Mentor and the Chevy Network Dealers. 

“We are so happy to participate in the Lake County YMCA Dream House giveaway for the 16th year in a row,” says John McCurdy of Classic Chevrolet. “We’re in a position to donate thanks to the continued support of our loyal customer base. Classic Chevrolet has been here, same location, same ownership, for nearly 50 years. We’re grateful for the opportunity to give back to our loyal customer base, which has supported us all those years.”

The all-wheel drive Trailblazer includes loads of safety features, like blind spot mirrors, forward collision alerts, automatic emergency braking and rear park sensors. Parents will also appreciate the teen driver system to keep tabs on a new driver. 

John reports comfort and convenience features include heated seats and a heated steering wheel, as well as a power rear liftgate. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow seamless connection. 

“Partnering with the Lake County YMCA is a natural fit,” adds John. “The leadership of the Y is dedicated to helping our community just the same as Classic Chevrolet.” 

The 2026 Lake County YMCA Dream House giveaway ends with a semifinal drawing on Wednesday, September 9, and Final Drawing on Sunday, September 13. Both events will be streamed live on Facebook. The winner of the house or car is responsible for paying taxes. Proceeds from this fundraiser help the YMCA, one of the area’s largest nonprofits focused on engaging individuals and families in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y gives children, families and individuals the support and resources needed to help them achieve goals, make friends and find a true sense of belonging. It ensures these opportunities are available to everyone no matter their ability to pay with generous support from community partners and donors. For more information about the Y, call 440-579-4729 or visit LakeCountyYMCA.org. 

Inside the Designer’s Inspiration 

Following the trending Ralph Lauren modern American design ethos, interior designer Laura Gills came up with an amazing home that’s loaded with character and style. 

A few jaw-dropping design elements to look for on your tour include:

• The fireplace. “Thanks to its innovative design (the fireplace draws heat away from the exterior), Laura was able to do something amazing. Instead of traditional tile, she wrapped the feature in natural grass cloth, creating a rich, textural focal point that feels organic and refined. “The natural fibers provide a soothing and sophisticated three-dimensional color variation,” she says. The slightly recessed accent wall houses a large television and horizontal firebox.

• The kitchen. Drama meets warmth. Sleek black cabinetry anchors the space, while a hickory wood island and custom hood soften the look. Brushed gold hardware and an accordion-fluted off-white backsplash add sparkle and a touch of refined elegance.

• The study. “We took a modern, reimagined approach to how people use their workspace,” says Laura. “Instead of a boring desk in the middle of the room, we built a walnut resin live-edge counter that runs the length of the room. Plenty of space for kids doing their homework at the same time as mom or dad are working.”

• Impact lies in the details. Don’t forget to look up. Sometimes the most delightful moments are tucked into the details, like the black wall sconce lights by the main stairway that come to life by projecting a daisy pattern of light onto the wall.