2026 Home for the Holidays Raffle Breaks Ground on $650K Aurora Home

AURORA, Ohio – The 2026 Home for the Holidays raffle is a premier charitable initiative where participants can win a custom-built $650,000 home or a significant cash prize while supporting life-changing missions. Organized by Build Trades (formerly the Home Builders Charitable & Education Foundation of Cleveland), Make-A-Wish OKI, and News 5, the project officially broke ground on May 6, 2026, at 586 Iris Place. This annual collaboration has successfully raised over $1 million to date, directly funding more than 100 wishes for children facing critical illnesses across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.What is the 2026 Home for the Holidays Grand Prize?The grand prize for the 2026 raffle is a stunning 2,422-square-foot residence located in the heart of Aurora, Ohio. Built by Simcon Homes, the property features three spacious bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a two-car attached garage. Valued at $650,000, the home represents the pinnacle of local craftsmanship. Tickets are available for $100 each, with proceeds split between Make-A-Wish OKI and the Build Trades Foundation. For those who prefer liquidity, a substantial cash prize option is also available to the lucky winner.How does the raffle support Make-A-Wish OKI?Every ticket purchased for the 2026 Home for the Holidays raffle helps bridge the funding gap for local families. With the average cost of a single wish totaling approximately $10,000, the raffle’s million-dollar milestone has been instrumental in providing hope and joy to families in Northeast Ohio. Keri Haibach, Senior Regional Director of Development for Make-A-Wish OKI, noted that these funds are vital for granting wishes that range from room makeovers to meeting personal heroes, providing a much-needed psychological boost to children in medical crises.The Build Trades Foundation and PACT Program ImpactBeyond the raffle prize, the project fuels the Home Builders Institute’s Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) program. Managed by the Build Trades Foundation, this curriculum is currently active in 15 area high schools throughout Northeast Ohio. The PACT program provides students with hands-on certification in nine essential industries:Carpentry and MasonryElectrical and PlumbingHVAC and Green BuildingLandscaping, Painting, and Building Construction TechnologyBy integrating these trades into local education, the foundation ensures a steady pipeline of skilled labor for the region’s growing construction needs.