From Blueprints to Big Smiles

Building Joy for Veteran Families

What do you get when you mix 100 volunteers, a few power tools, and a whole lot of heart? At Citizens, you get Operation: Playhouse, a hands-on tradition that brings colleagues together to support those who’ve served our country, one joyful build at a time.

Now in its second year, Operation: Playhouse is more than a volunteer event. It’s a celebration of service, teamwork, and childhood wonder. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester, Citizens colleagues built three custom-designed playhouses for local veteran and military families. These aren’t just play spaces. They’re handcrafted, joy-packed mini homes where kids can imagine, explore, and feel proud of something made just for them.

“Operation: Playhouse has become a meaningful tradition at Citizens,” said Derek Castello, AVP, Compliance Manager and Caring for Citizens BRG leader. “It’s a hands-on way to honor those who serve, while creating joyful, lasting memories for their children. You can feel the impact in every smile.”

This year, the Risk team embraced the opportunity to turn the event into a team service project—bringing their collaborative spirit, matching shirts, and plenty of enthusiasm to the build.

“Building playhouses for the children of veterans wasn’t just a team-building exercise—it was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together when purpose meets compassion, said CJ Spates, SVP, Head of Marketing & Data Analytics Risk, Consumer Banking Risk. “Stepping away from our day to day business needs to serve those who’ve served us brought a deeper sense of fulfillment and unity to our team than any metric ever could.”

Citizens Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Van Saun and Chief Human Resources Officer, Susan La Monica joined the celebration, presenting each family with a certificate of homeownership and sharing heartfelt remarks about the importance of supporting those who serve. The children wasted no time moving in, testing out doors, peeking through windows, and imagining all the adventures ahead.

Operation: Playhouse is a powerful example of how our colleagues live our Credo—working together to build more than playhouses. We're building connection as well as lasting memories for families who deserve our deepest thanks.

Volunteerism is a cornerstone of our culture at Citizens. Whether we’re mentoring students, supporting local nonprofits, or building playhouses, our colleagues consistently show up to make a difference. It’s this shared commitment to service that helps us build stronger communities—and a workplace where purpose thrives.