In a new partnership with Rock River Homes, third and fourth-graders in the Kids Who Change the World Club at Prince Edward County Elementary School will construct and auction off playhouses to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Corey Morrissette, owner and manager of Rock River Homes, will donate money and materials for the playhouses. When asked to provide leftover materials for the students to use, he replied, “I don’t want the kids to work with inferior materials.” His devotion to the Prince Edward County Public Schools (PECPS) community will allow the Kids Who Change the World to build quality products with the best supplies.

Morrissette will also speak to students about careers in the construction field. Born into a family of Virginia-based builders, he is knowledgeable about his trade and wishes to prepare a new generation for the workforce. He notes that a strong emphasis on higher education has resulted in a labor shortage among trades, and hopes that his efforts with PECPS students will inspire future tradespeople.

Morrissette is excited about the potential for this project at PECPS and beyond. In addition to learning about construction, students in Kids Who Change the World will also gain skills in mathematics, science, and design as they build the playhouses. The playhouses will then be auctioned off, with the proceeds going directly to Habitat for Humanity. Students’ efforts will benefit the larger Prince Edward community by providing families with safe and affordable housing.