You’ve probably heard about LEED certification and know it has something to do with building an energy-efficient home, but now North Shore residents have a chance to tour the first LEED-certified home in Winnetka.
Located at 1092 Oak St., the 5,200 square foot colonial style red brick home will be open for tours every Thursday through Saturday from May 13 through May 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays Noon – 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door, but early birds can purchase tickets for $8 at Greenspire Properties Home of Distinction. All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Charities Events Manager, Allison Mabbott, gave Make It Better the scoop.
MIB: How did you get involved with this tour?
AM: Our contribution for this home of distinction is that we staff the home tours. It’ll be $10 to tour the home. Anyone and everyone is welcome, and 100% of the proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House. We’re also going to be doing green seminars in the home.
MIB: And you’re also sponsoring a design contest for the basement, master bedroom and nursery, correct?
AM: We’ve challenged Chicago’s design students to go green and build the most masterful green rooms they can. Three finalists for each room will be chosen and announced every Thursday. Each winner gets a summer internship with an interior designer and $100 gift certificate at Blick.
MIB: What can attendees expect to see? How is a LEED certified home different than a home built with traditional construction techniques?
AM: Technology. It’s almost like the house has a brain. You can be on the other side of the world and call home to turn off the coffeepot.
MIB: For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about Ronald McDonald House Charities?
AM: We are an independent nonprofit. We are independent from McDonald’s, but we are their charity of choice. We have four Ronald McDonald houses in the Chicagoland area. The purpose of the houses is to keep families of hospitalized children together.
We offer the houses for families with children staying at nearby hospitals. If they can’t afford to stay anywhere, they can stay with us, and they’re just an earshot away from their kids.
MIB: Do you charge the families who take advantage of your properties?
AM: We ask for $10, but if people are unable to pay, we don’t turn anyone away.
MIB: You also offer a scholarship program, correct?
AM: Our second program is our scholarship program. We help local youth obtain their academic dreams. Finally, we also have our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, which provides free healthcare to underserved children in the area.
MIB: Why should people make the time to check this out?
AM: It’s close to home for us. We’re currently building the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House in conjunction with the Robert and Anne Lurie Children’s Hospital. The house is located at 211 E. Grand, and it’s going to be 14 floors with 86 bedrooms. Touring the Winnetka home will help us build ours.
MIB: Thanks, Allison!
For more information and to buy tickets, visit homeofdistinction.com.
