The Santa House Makeover Project

We, High School Girl Scout Troop 731, in the winter of 2009 hosted the Downtown Westfield Neighborhood Association's (DWNA) first, free, community ice skating rink. We spent many hours in the small Santa house serving hot chocolate to skaters. While the outside of the house was quite adorable, the inside was outdated and needed some work and had a dangerous electrical situation. We decided that it didn't seem like a place where a child would want to go to visit Santa, and we wanted to change that. So, soon after the skating season was over, we began the renovation. We ripped out the existing carpet and replaced it with new; purchased and painted base trim, crown molding, and window trim; repainted the walls and ceiling; received a donation for electrical rewiring; installed a new ceiling light; and decorated with rope lights, curtains, and a wreath -- all of which was underwritten by the DWNA. It took a ton of time and effort, but it was well worth it because now the children of Westfield, Indiana can tell Santa what they want for the holidays in a much more comfortable and cozy environment. Skaters in the 2010 season had a perfect place to escape the cold as well.