Victory Homes of Wisconsin, Inc. and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony in Waunakee on Monday for the Inaugural Madison St. Jude Dream Home Showplace at Kilkenny Farms West. St. Jude Dream Home Showplace is an extension of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, which is one of the largest fundraising programs for St. Jude. The net proceeds from the sale of the house benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Waunakee development site first in Wisconsin for St. Jude Dream Home Showplace
Updated
Waunakee’s Kilkenny Farms West development will be the site of the inaugural St. Jude Dream Home Showplace in Wisconsin, raising funds for the pediatric hospital and research center.
“I’ve always been a fan of St. Jude,” said Waunakee developer Don Tierney, of Livable Communities by Don Tierney. “It’s a tremendous situation to have a place like this.”
Tierney’s comments came at a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday morning for Victory Homes of Wisconsin, Inc. and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“All eyes are on here,” said Herrera.
Net proceeds from the sale of the house will go to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its efforts to help kids battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
St. Jude Dream Home Showplace is an extension of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, one of the largest fundraising programs for St. Jude.
These fundraisers help raise money to ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, housing, travel or food.
Herrera said that St. Jude treatments have led to improved cancer survival rates for kids, as they’ve gone from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. The majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributions.
David Roembke, of Victory Homes of Wisconsin, explained how the Waunakee site was chosen.
Waunakee developer Don Tierney speaks at Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the inaugural Madison St. Jude Dream Home Showcase. Net proceeds from the sale of the home, being built in Waunakee’s Killkenny Farms West development, will go to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“We’ve done a lot with Don Tierney, who’s obviously a big developer in the Waunakee market, and we’ve had a good presence in the Waunakee market over the last five, six, seven years,” said Roembke. “So, with this brand-new subdivision kicking off, the fact that it’s going to be a parade of homes site, we thought why not Kilkenny West?”
Among those in attendance Monday were Waunakee Village Administrator Todd Schmidt, President of the Waunakee Board of Trustees Kristin Runge and incoming Dane County Executive Melissa Agard.
“So, it’s going to be a great house, and we look forward to continuing building here in this market,” said Roembke.
Construction is expected to begin this month, and the house will be open to the public beginning June 20, 2025, as part of the 2025 Madison Area Parade of Homes. Outside of that, the model hours for viewing on Saturdays and Sundays will be noon to 4 p.m.
Chad Lawler, of the Madison Area Builders Association, said 2025 is the 75th anniversary of the Madison Area Parade of Homes.
“To be able to really display the home and market it, to take the message of St. Jude and get it out there, and other opportunities as well, it’s really just incredible,” said Lawler.
Roembke talked about visiting St. Jude and how it affected him.
“We’re definitely honored and thrilled to be a part of the St. Jude Dream House, and this is the first year, so we’re learning a lot with it,” said Roembke. “But when we had the opportunity to go down and visit the hospital, say no more. And if anybody ever has the opportunity definitely take advantage of it.”
When he returned, Roembke met with the business partners of Victory Homes of Wisconsin.
“It was a no-brainer as well that that was something we definitely wanted to be a part of and to be able to give back to the community with an unbelievable cause, so we’re so thrilled to be a part of it,” said Roembke.
Roembke said it didn’t take long to pick the Waunakee site.
“We were in talks to do a parade model, and when we had the opportunity to do the St. Jude Dream Home Showcase, we also decided to do that here as well,” said Roembke.
As for the house, it’s going to be a story and a half, with about 4,700 square feet, four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a three-car garage and a home office, spacious kitchen and a great room.
