PROJECTS

Coleman’s Project

Our home visit started like many home visits with families; a warm welcome, lots of smiles and nods while we listened to their needs and explain to them what a special journey we are about to take them on. As we sat on the sofa next to this special boy, Coleman, who listened carefully, intently…enthusiastically(!) to each and every word that we said, our hearts filled with excitement and anticipation for his project weekend. He was so excited he looked like he wanted to explode! His brother Andrew paid careful attention also. As a teenager, he wasn’t sure if we could live up to what we were promising; if we could make his room a special place. It’s just a bedroom, right?

Designed and Managed By

Gail O’Rourke, Room to Dream Board Member and Owner of White Wood Kitchens

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The design team; Gail O’Rourke, Meaghan O’Rourke, Harris Krupp and Bill Hughes were up to the challenge. We knew we were going to do something spectacular, and we couldn’t wait to show them. We scheduled our makeover weekend, and headed out, designs taking root and ideas growing wings.

It took only a few calls to build the Room to Dream Team for Coleman’s project. Our dedicated partners delivered: Cellular Window Shades. Com with custom window treatments, Direct IT with a new Laptop, Sherwin Williams with paint, California Closets with new closet systems, and we lined up our exclusive photographer, Michael Lee, to capture those amazing reaction shots when the family comes home to their big reveal on Sunday – must haves for every project. We are fortunate to have their partnership and support.

As our weekend approached, the RTD Dream Team assembled. Skilled labor is critical to the successful execution of projects and we had several companies donate valuable labor hours for our weekend; Burr Remodeling/Carver MA, P. Balboni Cabinet Installer/Plymouth, MA, T. Best Painting /Yarmouth, MA, Albert Lee with Specialty Mobile, White Wood Kitchens/Sandwich, MA., veteran volunteers, Room to Dream Board members and family and friends all joined the team to provide the love, sweat and labor – about 200 man hours – that go into makeover weekends.

The end result? For Andrew, designed for a young teen- a sophisticated, mature room which celebrated the great city of Boston, MA and it’s awesome sports teams. A cool, artsy painted wall element. A larger bed for a growing young man, new furniture, shelves to show off all things important and a desk and laptop for digging into homework. Not a place to pass through but a place to “hang.”

For Coleman, a place of sunshine and light, of energy and celebration of the inner youth, a room where he could bring what was inside out through music. A stage, music machine and a mic! What else do you need to let it all out? Top it off with cool decorations, new furniture and custom window treatments, and we did what we set out to do: Create a healing and healthy space that Coleman could call his own. A note from the family later that evening topped off the great weekend.

“I just wanted to send a quick note and let you know how much the boys absolutely love their rooms. Coleman can not stop saying “Mom, I just love my room!” and Andrew hasn’t left his other than to eat and go to school! They both look forward to enjoying their rooms for many years to come and the environment you created for Coleman will be both soothing and uplifting in the times he is recovering from various appointments and procedures. Again a huge thanks to you, your team, and the RTD Foundation for giving our family a weekend we will not soon forget! – Nanci, Matt, Andrew and Coleman

DREAM BIG – Gail O’Rourke, Room to Dream Project Manager, White Wood Kitchens

Special Thanks

We would like to thank all of the volunteers as well as the donors below for being a part of this Dream Team!