'Sydney House' groundbreaking ceremony

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Six-year old Sydney Lambert may be the youngest honoree ever asked to break ground. Or in this case, plant a tree in front of a house named in her honor.

"To really put a face to what we're doing here, which is helping Children's' Hospital, help children," Tidewaters Builders Association President Pete Kotarides told WAVY.com.

The "Sydney House" has been designated by the Tidewater Builders Association as this year's Charity House. All the proceeds from the sale of the home will benefit the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk. Which is why little Sydney was at Tuesday's ceremony.

CHKD is where Sydney had a life threatening cancer removed when she was just nine-months-old. Her role was largely symbolic of everyone's desire that the tree she planted will grow big and strong along with Sydney.

The Charity House project sponsored by the Tidewater Builders Association has produced some very real benefits for groups like the Children's Hospital of the King's daughters.

"Since 1988, Tidewater Builders Association has donated over $1.1 million to local charities, local children's charities," added Kotarides.

More than half a million dollars has gone to CHKD and to the Boys and Girls Club of South Hampton Roads each.

Raising that kind of money from the building industry is no easy task during these tough economic times. But builder Herb Watson says vendors and contractors have remained committed to the Charity House project in spite of the sluggish economy.

"They have stepped forward. We've actually had some situations where we've had some competition from various suppliers to do a particular part of the home, with full donations," said Herb Watson, president of The Walters Company.

Once it's finished, the house will be worth almost a $500,000.

"All the money comes to the Hospital," Sydney chimed in.