Robin Katzenstein took a chance and won the 2019 Lake County YMCA Dream House
By Mimi Vanderhaven
On Sunday, August 11, the 26th Annual Lake County YMCA Dream House became a reality for Robin Katzenstein, from Chardon, who turned the winning golden key and opened the front door to his new home
Robin was one of 20 semi-finalists picked from among 107,446 ticket holders who toured the modern farmhouse-style stunner this summer.
Located on Maplegrove Road in the new Maple Valley development of Willoughby Hills, the 3,400-square-foot, two-story home was designed and constructed by ProBuilt Homes. It’s valued at more than $500,000, and Robin will keep all the home’s furnishings as well.
From June through August, people came from all over to glimpse this showcase of cutting-edge design innovation and rustic style, from a fully equipped STEAM room for budding scientists and inventors, to the smoothie bar, theater room and fitness studio.
Another lucky ticket holder, Tim Wallenhorst, from Parma Hts., drove away in a racy 2019 Chevy Camaro, valued at about $30,000, provided by Northeast Ohio Chevy Dealers and Classic Chevrolet in Mentor.
According to Dream House Marketing Coordinator Dave Saifman, in terms of the dollar amount in ticket sales, this year’s event officially raised the highest ever.
“We are thrilled with the record-breaking turnout this year,” he says. “This is the first time I lent a hand in designing (the lower level fitness room), so now I have insider’s knowledge of the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes in pulling this together. Our talented team and sponsors really stepped things up this year and we are so grateful.”
Every dollar raised from the Dream House will go back into the community by enhancing the YMCA’s programs and facilities.
Since 1993, proceeds from the project have exceeded $5 million (approximately $200,000 per year) that allow the Y to engage its more than 46,000 members in diverse programs at each Lake County YMCA branch (Central Y-Painesville, East End Y-Madison, the Outdoor Family Center, and the new West End Y at Union Village).
The Lake County YMCA Dream House is the largest fundraiser of the year benefitting its mission of nurturing youth development, improving health and well-being and sponsoring social responsibility. The tours may be over, but you can still donate online at any time, LakeCountyYMCA.org, or volunteer to work on the 2020 Dream House.