I wish to have a Swiss Family Robinson-themed treehouse
Libby
8
acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Libby's Spectacular Treehouse
Eight-year-old Elizabeth "Libby" had a vision for her wish: a Swiss Family Robinson-style treehouse. Thanks to over 20 businesses coming together along with Make-A-Wish volunteers, her wish came true.
Libby, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, has dubbed her Caribbean-themed retreat "Libby's Spectacular Treehouse." It's a place where she can play with her siblings and friends and dream about future adventures.
Libby saw the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse at Walt Disney World® Resort, which was the initial inspiration for her wish. Along with the concept team at Silverman Trykowski Associates, Libby played a large part in designing the treehouse, built to her specifications by Make-A-Wish partner United Civil, a Northeast Region energy contractor. United Civil's charitable committee, UNITED CIVIL CARES, chaired by Michael Dell Isola—whose son Christopher had a wish granted by Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 2004—put incredible effort into every detail of the treehouse, from the specially sourced thatched roof to the carefully curated antique decorations.
"Sean Holleran and George Deveney (of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island) presented this opportunity to bring a unique project to life and we accepted. Libby's courage and hope are poignantly similar to the Robinsons'. Their ship flees into a storm following a pirate attack, and the crew abandons, leaving them to ground on rocks close to a deserted island. The Robinsons persevere by salvaging parts from the shipwreck to create a safe, joyful home. And we are all eager to see Libby and her family experience the same," said Michael Dell Isola of United Civil.
Libby, her family, friends, Make-A-Wish staff, volunteers, and United Civil representatives got together to celebrate Libby's wish. "Libby was beaming," said Amy Carroll, Vice President of Mission for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. "Her family was beyond grateful. United Civil and contributors, along with our Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island volunteers and others, went above and beyond in making this custom treehouse everything Libby dreamed of."
“This has been such a meaningful experience for Libby, from the time when she was imagining what it might look like,” said Make-A-Wish volunteer Marilynn Demaray, who along with her daughter Jillian served as wish granters for Libby’s wish. “When she [Libby] first saw the treehouse, she was walking around, in shock, wide-eyed, and just taking it all in.”
To create Libby's dream treehouse, United Civil and Make-A-Wish worked with numerous partners who generously donated in-kind goods and services:
Contributors:
- A&G Landscape Masonry, Duxbury, MA
- Artisan Building Group, Middleton, MA
- Benchmark Wooden Signs, Wedgefield, SC
- Burnett Moynihan Lumber, Revere, MA
- Cape Cod Tree House, Forestdale, MA
- Conant Home Design Studio, Kingston, MA
- Cory Katherine Ryan, Danvers, MA
- East Coast Fence, Kingston, MA
- Endureed/Global Innovation, LLC, Lake City, FL
- Goodrich Lumber, Kingston, MA
- Hammertime Construction, Middleton, MA
- Lannan Ship Model Gallery, Norwell, MA
- Lowes, Dedham, MA
- Pucuda Leading Edge Netting, New Bern, NC
- Right Rope, Grand Rapids, MI
- Rosano Davis Portable Toilets, Cohasset, MA
- Shupe Studios, Holliston, MA
- Signarama, Kingston, MA
- Silverman Trykowski Associates, Boston, MA
- Stonehouse Antiques, Norwell, MA
- TLC Painting, Natick, MA
- Treasure Trove Antiques, Sanbornville, NH
- Treehouse Supplies, Inc., Exton, PA
- Troupe Waste Services, Abington, MA
Learn how your business can help make wishes come true.
Contact Mariama Sano at 617.367.9474.