Trimming the Christmas Tree(house)

Our folks faced off against teams from other local businesses in a contest to build the most creative playhouse, with each team putting its own spin on a simple design. They chose a treehouse theme, and spent a day designing and customizing, creating the elements of a playhouse that sits up on a raised platform, decorated with vines. The following week, they brought those elements to San Jose’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, assembled the structure, and added the finishing touches—including a faux mini campfire.

All the playhouses will be on display in the park until the winner is chosen—and awarded the coveted Cocoa Cup trophy—at which point they’ll be donated to families associated with Blue Star Moms, an organization of mothers of service members and veterans.

“Everyone who works on these playhouses truly cares about the event’s purpose of bringing people together and making sure the houses are for a good cause after the event is over,” said Victor Nuñez, a superintendent who participated on the build team. “We all feel a sense of pride knowing the playhouse we build will go to a deserving family.”