St. Jude Dream Home in Atlanta: How It Works, How to Get Tickets, and What Locals Should Know
The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in Atlanta combines two things Atlantans care about: beautiful homes and supporting a meaningful cause. If you live in metro Atlanta or plan to be here when tickets go on sale, it can be exciting—but also a little confusing—trying to understand how the giveaway works, where the home is, and what your chances really look like.
This guide walks through how the St. Jude Dream Home Atlanta giveaway typically works, how to participate responsibly, and what to expect as an Atlanta resident or visitor.
What Is the St. Jude Dream Home Atlanta Giveaway?
The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is a fundraising program where supporters can buy tickets for a chance to win a newly built or fully renovated home. Proceeds support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In Atlanta, the giveaway usually features:
- A single-family home in or near a metro Atlanta community
- A trusted local builder partnering with St. Jude
- Limited tickets sold at a set price (commonly around $100, though this can vary by year)
- Additional bonus prizes donated by local or national partners
The specific neighborhood, builder, and home features change each year, but the basic structure—home + tickets + drawing—stays similar.
Is There a St. Jude Hospital or Office in Atlanta?
There is no main St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital campus in Atlanta. The primary hospital is in Memphis, Tennessee. However, many fundraising events and campaigns—including the Dream Home Giveaway—are organized in the Atlanta area.
For questions that relate directly to the giveaway, it’s usually best to:
- Check the official St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway information for Atlanta for the current year
- Or contact a St. Jude regional fundraising office if one is listed for Georgia or the Southeast
When you see the “St. Jude Dream Home Atlanta” promotion on local TV or radio, those stations are typically partnering with St. Jude to promote the event and encourage ticket sales across the metro area.
Where Is the St. Jude Dream Home Located in Atlanta?
The exact location changes from year to year, but homes are typically built in or near:
- Growing suburban communities in the Atlanta metro area
- Neighborhoods with new construction and active local builders
- Areas where it’s easy to showcase the home for tours and media coverage
Some common patterns:
- The Dream Home is often in a new subdivision or a master-planned community.
- It may be in a county like Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, Cherokee, or Henry, depending on where the builder is active.
- The address is usually limited to ticket holders and promotional materials for security and traffic reasons, especially if public tours are offered.
If you want to visit the home, check the current year’s official Dream Home Atlanta listing for:
- The community name and city (e.g., a subdivision in a specific metro Atlanta suburb)
- Whether in-person tours are available and if reservations are required
How the St. Jude Dream Home Atlanta Giveaway Typically Works
While each year can differ in details, the Atlanta Dream Home Giveaway usually follows a clear pattern.
1. Home Construction and Announcement
A local builder partners with St. Jude to design and build the Dream Home. Once construction is underway:
- St. Jude announces the location and basic features of the home.
- Local media (often an Atlanta TV station) helps promote the campaign.
- Early visuals such as renderings, floor plans, or model photos may be shared.
2. Ticket Sales Open
When tickets go on sale:
- Tickets are limited in number (for example, tens of thousands, not unlimited).
- Each ticket has the same price and gives one entry into the drawing.
- There may be early-bird prizes—extra drawings you’re eligible for if you buy tickets early.
Ways Atlanta residents typically purchase tickets:
- Online through St. Jude’s official Dream Home giveaway page (for the Atlanta market)
- By phone, using the number advertised on local Atlanta TV, radio, or mailers
- Sometimes in person at promotional events or open house tours, if those are offered
To keep it safe and legitimate:
- Tickets should only be purchased through official St. Jude channels.
- You should receive confirmation of your entry (email or mailed ticket, depending on how it’s set up that year).
3. Public Tours (If Offered)
In some years, the St. Jude Dream Home in Atlanta may be open for public tours:
- Tours might be scheduled for a few weekends before the drawing.
- Volunteers or representatives might be on-site to answer basic questions.
- Sometimes visitors can enter for separate smaller prizes when touring.
Tour availability can vary, so it’s important to check:
- The exact dates and times for tours
- Any parking instructions, especially in busy or gated communities
- Whether children are allowed, and any rules about photography or video
4. The Drawing Day
On drawing day:
- All valid ticket entries are combined in a randomized process.
- A winner is drawn and publicly announced, often during a TV broadcast with a local Atlanta station.
- Additional secondary prizes (such as gift cards, electronics, or local services) may also be drawn.
Winners are usually contacted directly by the organizers using the contact information on the ticket. You don’t need to be present at the drawing to win.
What You Can Win in the Atlanta Dream Home Giveaway
The headline prize is the Dream Home itself, but there are often other incentives that matter to Atlanta residents.
The Home
Typical features of an Atlanta-area Dream Home might include:
- 3–5 bedrooms and multiple bathrooms
- Modern, open-concept kitchens and living spaces
- Energy-efficient systems suitable for hot, humid Atlanta summers
- Outdoor living spaces like covered patios, decks, or fenced yards
- Design choices that match current Atlanta real estate trends, such as home offices, flex rooms, or finished basements (depending on the community)
Additional Prizes
Alongside the home, there may be:
- Early-bird prizes for those who buy tickets by certain dates
- Local partner prizes, such as dining, shopping, or travel packages
- Grand-prize add-ons, like furniture packages or design upgrades (varies by year)
Prize details are always listed in that year’s official giveaway rules, which ticket buyers should review carefully.
What Happens If You Win the St. Jude Dream Home in Atlanta?
Winning a Dream Home is exciting, but it also comes with practical considerations, especially in a market like Atlanta where property values, taxes, and insurance can be significant.
1. Legal Ownership and Closing
If you win:
- You typically go through a closing process similar to buying a home, but with the home provided as a prize.
- The property deed is transferred to your name, subject to the terms outlined in the giveaway rules.
- Certain fees, taxes, or closing costs may be your responsibility.
The organizers usually explain the steps and provide the necessary contacts (such as a closing attorney or title company familiar with Georgia law).
2. Taxes and Financial Considerations
From a general standpoint (not tax advice):
- In many cases, the value of the home is considered taxable as income.
- Winners often speak with a tax professional familiar with Georgia and federal tax laws to understand their obligations.
- Property taxes for the county where the home is located will apply once you own it.
In metro Atlanta, property taxes vary widely by county and city. For example:
- A home in Fulton County may have different tax rates than one in Gwinnett or Cobb County.
- Some jurisdictions offer homestead exemptions if you use the home as your primary residence.
Winners commonly:
- Decide whether to move into the home,
- Use it as a second home, or
- Sell it after the required holding period (if any is mentioned in the official rules).
3. Moving and Local Logistics
If you already live in the Atlanta area:
- Consider commute times to major job centers like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter, or Cumberland.
- Check local school districts if you have children, especially in counties like Cobb, Gwinnett, or Cherokee.
- Plan for home insurance costs with local agents who know Atlanta’s weather risks (storms, heat, etc.).
If you’re from outside Georgia and win the Atlanta Dream Home:
- Visiting the property in person before making decisions can be helpful.
- Local real estate agents familiar with the neighborhood and county regulations can offer practical guidance.
How to Buy St. Jude Dream Home Tickets in Atlanta
While exact methods can change, Atlanta participants generally have these options when the campaign is active:
Common Ways to Purchase
Online
- Through the official St. Jude Dream Home giveaway portal (select the Atlanta or appropriate Georgia market).
- Pay by debit/credit card where accepted.
By Phone
- Using the toll-free number announced in local Atlanta promotions.
- Provide your contact and payment information to an authorized representative.
In Person (Occasionally)
- At designated ticket-selling events or home tours, if listed for that year.
- Staff or volunteers accept payment and record your entry.
Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents
- 🎟️ Buy early: Tickets can and often do sell out before drawing day.
- 🧾 Keep your confirmation: Save your email or document any confirmation number.
- ✅ Verify it’s official: Use only phone numbers and websites advertised through official St. Jude materials or trusted Atlanta media partners.
- 📅 Note deadlines: Early-bird prize cutoffs and final ticket deadlines are often firm and based on Eastern Time.
Understanding Your Odds and Expectations
The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is primarily a charitable fundraiser, with the chance to win as an added bonus. For Atlanta residents, it helps to view it realistically:
- The number of tickets is limited, but still large enough that any one person’s odds of winning the home are low.
- Many Atlanta-area participants buy tickets because they want to support St. Jude, and consider winning a potential bonus.
- There is no way to improve your odds other than buying more tickets, and you should only spend what fits your budget.
Keeping expectations grounded helps you enjoy participating without financial stress.
What Atlanta Locals Usually Want to Know
Here is a quick reference tailored to someone living in or visiting Atlanta:
| Question | Atlanta-Focused Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there a St. Jude hospital in Atlanta? | No main hospital; the primary campus is in Memphis. Atlanta hosts fundraising events like Dream Home. |
| Where is the Dream Home located? | Location changes yearly; usually in a metro Atlanta suburb or new community. Check current details. |
| How much is a ticket? | Often around $100 per ticket, but confirm for the current year in the Atlanta giveaway rules. |
| How do I buy tickets in Atlanta? | Typically online or by phone through official St. Jude channels promoted in the Atlanta market. |
| Do I have to live in Atlanta to win? | Usually not; eligibility is defined in the official rules, but many winners are from the region. |
| Can I see the home before the drawing? | Sometimes; public tours may be offered on set dates depending on that year’s event. |
| What if I win and don’t want to live there? | Winners generally may keep, sell, or otherwise handle the home as they choose, within legal/tax rules. |
| Are there additional prizes besides the home? | Often yes—early-bird and secondary prizes—but details vary each year. |
How Atlanta Residents Can Stay Updated
Because details—location, builder, ticket price, and dates—change every year, the most reliable way to stay informed in Atlanta is to:
- Watch for announcements on local TV stations that regularly feature the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.
- Look for Atlanta-specific Dream Home pages when visiting official St. Jude fundraising sites.
- Pay attention to mailers, radio segments, and social posts that clearly reference the Atlanta Dream Home drawing.
If you have specific questions about eligibility, ticket purchase methods, or event timing, refer to the current year’s official rules and contact information provided by the organizers. That will reflect the most accurate, up-to-date details for the St. Jude Dream Home Atlanta giveaway.