MERIDIAN, Idaho — The groundbreaking ceremony for the 2025 St. Jude Dream Home took place on Friday, Nov. 8.
The new Dream Home is being built by Berkeley Building Company and the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The home is located in the Oaklawn community off Star Road.
The 2,100 square foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is single level. Berkeley Building Company is notorious for its signature secret rooms with high-end amenities and this house will have them.
This is the 13th St. Jude Dream Home to be built by Berkeley. The company raised almost $3.1 million to help build the house last year. President Jenna England said Berkeley Building Company has already raised close to $3.2 million for this year's home.
"Knowing that their child has gotten a diagnosis like cancer, giving that family hope and a chance to live, I mean – I don't know that there is a greater gift you could give any parent or sibling or grandparent than being able to do that," England said. "We are truly lucky to work with the greatest hearts. The fact that they show up every year – we only attract the kind of people that have the hearts to give back – so it's not surprising at all for me that so many people showed up today."
Star Mayor Trevor Chadwick showed up to Friday morning's groundbreaking ceremony and shared how much the project means to him.
"My wife and I had a son that passed away with Down syndrome, you know, and open-heart surgeries. I know St. Jude does a lot with cancer research, but it's all about the kids. It's all about the youth, right? It's about making certain that we can provide a future for all the kids that we can in our in our society." Chadwick said. "That's what we can do as societies, be part of that solution. We have amazing doctors and scientists that are researching the rest of us. We could help provide the funding for that and for, I think it's $100 ticket here, right? You have a chance to win yourself a beautiful home in the City of Star, the most free place in the world."
Tickets for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway will go on sale in the spring of 2025. Tickets sell out quickly every year. Proceeds from the raffle go directly to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
England said that buying a ticket not only gives you the chance of winning a dream home but also can help a child fight for a second chance at life.
The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital researches potential cures for childhood cancers and other life-threatening illnesses. St. Jude makes it their mission to treat children at no cost to their families.