Construction Firms Collaborate on Oklahoma Treehouse Build
Three companies combined resources to complete a complex community project, providing a template for trade-based collaboration.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Philanthropy
Three Oklahoma construction firms completed a custom treehouse project for a local child in July 2026. The effort concludes a two-year wait for the family, who previously navigated extensive medical treatments at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Why it matters
This collaboration highlights the potential for local trades and contractors to build goodwill through high-impact, skill-based volunteer efforts. Such initiatives allow firms to leverage existing operational resources to meaningfully address community needs.
Three Oklahoma construction companies collaborated on the build after the family waited two years for the project to commence. The scope involved coordinating multiple trade partners to complete the structure over a single weekend.
The players
Willowbrook Construction
An Oklahoma-based construction firm providing residential and commercial building services.
Gellenbeck Construction
A contractor specializing in structural building projects within the state.
Barnes Concrete
A specialized concrete services firm involved in residential and community site development.
The details
Willowbrook Construction, Gellenbeck Construction, and Barnes Concrete pooled their respective labor and technical expertise to execute the design. The construction crews built the structure at height between two trees, utilizing standard residential safety and building practices to ensure the site served as a secure space for the child and his pets.
Timeline
Spring 2026: The family held their first meeting with the construction crews.
July 2026: Crews completed the construction of the treehouse.
Market Landscape
This project follows the established pattern of skilled-trade volunteerism where local companies donate labor to support families managing long-term medical challenges. It highlights how businesses in the Oklahoma construction sector coordinate resources to provide community-level impacts.
Business owners should consider how pooling technical expertise with peer firms can create high-visibility, low-cost community engagement opportunities. When structuring similar pro bono work, operators must ensure that standard safety and liability protocols are clearly defined for all participating entities.
The takeaway
Large-scale volunteer projects require a clear division of labor among trade partners to remain operationally viable. Firms looking to initiate similar programs should track labor hours as an in-kind donation for tax-reporting purposes, consulting with a certified accountant for proper documentation.
Further reading
For more on how local businesses engage in community support, explore the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News On 6.
