The State Farm Good Neighbor Award

July 27, 2010 -- Once a month during the Houston Astros' baseball season, State Farm presents its Good Neighbor award. The Houston Astros nominated HomeAid Houston (HAH), a Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) charity, for the month of July. The Astros and HomeAid are partnering on the 2010 Project Playhouse that raises funds to build transitional housing for the homeless of Houston.

Representatives from HAH and the GHBA were presented a check for $500 from State Farm and a commemorative baseball bat on the field at Minute Maid Park in a pregame ceremony. Prior to the ceremony the HAH and GHAB representatives were also treated to an up - close look at the Astros batting practice and a one-on-one session of questions, photographs and autographs with third baseman Chris Johnson.

The Good Neighbor Citizenship program is the umbrella for State Farm and State Farm Companies Foundation charitable efforts including volunteerism. Through Good Neighbor Citizenship, State Farm's mission is to build safer, stronger and better educated communities across the United States and Canada.

"It was an honor to be nominated by the Houston Astros for the Good Neighbor award," said Mark Welch, chairman of Project Playhouse and a HomeAid board member. "HomeAid and the Astros have developed a strong partnership through Project Playhouse as we work to build shelters for individuals and families in need. We thank State Farm for recognizing the importance of charitable efforts throughout North America."

HomeAid Houston's 2010 Project Playhouse called "The Vintage Astros Dugout" is a 10 ft. by 10 ft. fully loaded playhouse. It was built in honor of the Astros' 45th year as a ball club. The Vintage Playhouse was built by David Weekley Homes with donated materials, labor and services by GHBA members. The team was lead by Mark Welch, Mike Funk, Cindy Miller, Brian Underwood, Matt Dubroc and Cecilia Jones.

Playhouse features include: authentic bench seating from the Astros dugout at Minute Maid Park (with their actual cleat marks on top), $1300 worth of electronics donated by Best Buy including a wall mounted 32" HDTV, Nintendo Wii, Panasonic Blu-ray disc Player, Klipsch iGroove SXT audio system and a Wii sports pack. It also includes an 8,000 BTU air conditioner with remote, a G.E. stainless steel mini refrigerator, electrical hookup, a sliding window, a Dutch door, front porch, a metal roof, and authentic metal sports lockers.