Security Engineered Machinery Gives Back to Veteran Family with Operation Playhouse

March 7, 2022 at 7:25 pm by Amanda Canale

WESTBOROUGH, MA, February 23, 2022 – Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, once again partnered with Metrowest Habitat for Humanity for Operation Playhouse. The operation allows the opportunity for local Worcester County businesses to partner with veteran and military families to build and donate a playhouse to the family’s children. Each year, participating local businesses receive construction plans, paint, and a deconstructed house to build, and are given free rein to decorate the playhouses based on the children’s interests.

The SEM team decorated the playhouse for U.S. Army veteran Sgt. Christopher Cutliffe’s family. Sgt. Cutliffe served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2006 with a 2003 tour in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. 

“SEM was founded by a Korean War veteran in 1967, and ever since then we have worked very closely with all branches of the military and intelligence community, so any opportunity we have to give back, we take it,” said Andrew Kelleher, SEM President. “This cause has always been so close to our hearts, and it is always an absolute honor to come together and give back to a family that has given so much to our country.”

SEM Marketing Assistant, Amanda Canale, and Customer Care Representative, Cindy Haskell, painting the playhouse’s window frames.

SEM Director of Marketing, Heidi White (left), and Marketing Assistant, Amanda Canale (right) intertwining ivy garland into the playhouse’s porch.

The SEM team took full creative control with Operation Playhouse 2022 and produced a jungle-themed playhouse for the Cutliffe family’s two small children. The playhouse, painted dark green, is adorned with bamboo, greenery, jungle-themed activity books and toys, a removable front porch with gate, and even a rope swing with jungle vines. 

“Every year, we try to take creative liberty and produce a truly unique and special playhouse,” said Amanda Canale, SEM Marketing Assistant. “Our team really outdid themselves with this year’s concept. It’s by far the most creative we have been and it was incredibly heartwarming to see it received so lovingly by the Cutliffe family.”

Members of the SEM Sales, Engineering, and Service teams working together to construct the playhouse’s roof.

 

SEM Director of Marketing, Heidi White, presenting Sgt. Christopher Cutliffe and his family with a certificate and the playhouse.

 

This is SEM’s fourth year taking part in Operation Playhouse and certainly won’t be the last. “Operation Playhouse has become a tradition here at SEM and we are eagerly awaiting next year’s opportunity,” added Kelleher.

Watch a recap of the day in the video below.

About Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.