I wish to have a Swiss Family Robinson-themed treehouse
Libby
8
acute lymphoblastic leukemia
![Libby's wooden treehouse nestled among the trees, with stairs and a thatched roof and a green twisty slide](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_story_default_1x/public/2022-09/Libby%27s%20treehouse%201_credit%20Gregg%20Shupe%20%26%20Shupe%20Studios_3600x2044_Massachusetts%20and%20Rhode%20Island_0.jpg?h=e90cd2c0&itok=a7dqRHzH)
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.
![Libby's wooden treehouse nestled among the trees, with stairs and a thatched roof and a green twisty slide](/sites/default/files/styles/story_image_full_default_1x/public/2022-09/Libby%27s%20treehouse%203_exterior_credit%20Gregg%20Shupe_3600x2044_Massachusetts%20and%20Rhode%20Island.jpg?h=3618d392&itok=cBBkJe9a)
"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.”
![Libby's porthole window and a photo that's taken looking through the window to show her inside enjoying her treehouse](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image_default_1x/public/2022-09/Libby%27s%20treehouse%207_porthole_credit%20MA%20Lundquist%20Photography_3600x2044_Massachusetts%20and%20Rhode%20Island.jpg?h=3618d392&itok=o0ZL7IeV)
![A sign declaring how special Libby's treehouse is, and a photo of Libby smiling big as she's cutting the ribbon to her treehouse](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image_default_1x/public/2022-09/Libby%27s%20treehouse%206_ribbon%20cutting_credit%20MA%20Lundquist%20Photography_3600x2044_Massachusetts%20and%20Rhode%20Island.jpg?h=3618d392&itok=RgOBm-AM)
![The interior of Libby's treehouse, which is a warm wood tone with windows and a high ceiling](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image_default_1x/public/2022-09/Libby%27s%20treehouse%204_interior_credit%20Gregg%20Shupe%20%26%20Shupe%20Studios_3600x2044_Massachusetts%20and%20Rhode%20Island.jpg?h=14d71855&itok=-ezBUb8n)
![Libby posing on the wooden stairs of her treehouse, wearing her blue Make-A-Wish t-shirt, surrounded by two Make-A-Wish staff members and the two people who are her Make-A-Wish volunteer team](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image_default_1x/public/2022-09/Libby%27s%20treehouse%202_group%20shot_credit%20MA%20Lundquist%20Photography_3600x2044_Massachusetts%20and%20Rhode%20Island.jpg?h=3618d392&itok=OqseWv6Y)
![Libby's wooden treehouse nestled among the trees, with a thatched roof and a green twisty slide](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image_default_1x/public/2022-09/Libby%27s%20treehouse%205_exterior_credit%20Gregg%20Shupe%20%26%20Shupe%20Studios_3600x2044_Massachusetts%20and%20Rhode%20Island.jpg?h=3618d392&itok=PZAjdhE7)
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.