The annual Dallas CASA Parade of Playhouses is just around the corner, and those involved can’t contain their excitement.
Crest Auto Group will serve as this year’s presenting sponsor. Mike Brosin, general manager and managing partner of Crest, said part of caring about customers is caring about the communities in which they live.
“By partnering with local nonprofits, we can bring added attention and focus to important issues,” Brosin said. “Building a playhouse is a great way to bring everyone together, come up with an idea, then design and build the playhouse. It’s not only fun, but it’s a terrific way to connect our team behind a common cause. Everyone gets excited and looks forward to getting started each year. The mission and work of Dallas CASA is an easy one for people to get behind.”
Dallas CASA’s Parade of Playhouses is July 15-31 at NorthPark Center. The event raises funds and awareness for child victims of abuse or neglect served by the city’s Court-Appointed Special Advocates.
Since 1996, the Parade of Playhouses has offered an opportunity for local builders, architects, designers, and even high school students to join together on a construction project. The playhouses are then raffled off to the public.
Playing Favorites
Brosin and his team subscribe to the philosophy that you’re only as good as your last playhouse.
“Every year, the one we are working on is our favorite,” he said. “We’ve done several car-themed playhouses, including a Hot Wheels house and a workshop garage with a pint-sized Cadillac inside. For those of us in the car business, those are pretty fun. My favorite might be Bro’s Diner, the 1950s-style diner that was inspired by my love of cooking.”
This year the Crest Auto Group is building an aquarium-themed house inspired by amazing fish and colorful underwater life.
It takes a lot longer than one might think to construct a playhouse, Brosin added.
“We start coming up with playhouse ideas in the spring, but the real work happens during the six weeks before the playhouses arrive at NorthPark Center,” he said.
That time is now, as the event is fast-approaching. Playhouses will be on display for two weeks while $5 raffle tickets are sold. They are treasured by the recipients, who often keep them for years.
“We want the playhouse to be fun and capture the imagination of children,” Brosin said. “It’s great to see the kids get excited about the playhouse and circle it, looking at all the different ways to have fun. They often think of ways to play in it we didn’t even imagine.”
A Helping Hand
Brosin’s wife Jana volunteers with Dallas CASA and introduced her husband to the nonprofit’s work with children in foster care.
“Dallas CASA’s volunteers are community members trained to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Once you understand what these volunteers are doing behind the scenes every day in Dallas, it’s really hard to say no. They are helping children get back their childhoods,” Brosin said.
Crest Auto Group, which includes Crest Cadillac, Crest INFINITI, and Crest Volvo, has been in the Dallas area for more than 25 years and employs the mantra, “If you give customers your full attention, a lot of that attention comes back to you.”
At its Frisco campus, Crest offers a Texas Monthly-recognized, five-star barbeque restaurant, a 2,000-plus-bottle wine cellar, event space, herb garden, putting greens, and a dog park.
“Customer attention equals customer retention,” Brosin said.
The care for customers extends to worthy causes like Dallas CASA’s fundraiser, he added. Those interested in joining more than 1,500 local residents serving as Dallas CASA volunteers are invited to sign up for an information session.
