HBW Construction and OTJ Architects Grant Local Boy’s Wish to Have a Safari-Themed Playroom

Local wish kid, 6-year-old Mason, celebrated the granting of his wish to have a safari-themed playroom on his sixth birthday, Saturday, May 6, 2017.

Diagnosed with leukemia, in 2016, Mason’s childhood has been filled with chemotherapy, painful treatment protocols and more time spent with doctors and nurses than with friends and family. When a social worker from Children’s National Medical Center referred Mason for a wish, he began eagerly brainstorming his most heartfelt wish, and suddenly, he had something to look forward to. Not long after, Mason met two new friends from Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, his volunteer wish granters, and he excitedly shared his wish to have a safari-themed playroom.

After connecting with both OTJ Architects and HBW Construction, Mason’s new playroom was underway. OTJ Architects generously began designing the layout of the room and donated their time and talents to the project. HBW Construction provided contract work and labor to turn this wish into a reality and Shaw Carpets, Interface Carpet, F. Schumacher & Co., Donghia, Inc., Lighting Environments, Fisher Lumber, Advantage Floors, Dakota Ryan, and Thrifty Iron also donated items and time to make Mason’s wish come true.

On Saturday, May 6, Mason’s sixth birthday, he and his family and friends eagerly awaited the big reveal. Kept secret for several weeks leading up to the big day, Mason was speechless when he opened the doors for the first time. Complete with a loft, tree, slide, rope swing and look out, Mason finally had a space of his own where he and his friends could play for hours on end.

Both Jenne Whitelaw from OTJ Architects and Jim Hirrlinger from HBW Construction were instrumental in bringing this wish to life and highlight the tangible impact community partners have on the lives of local wish children.

WHAG covered the playroom reveal. Watch the video here.

 

About Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic

Make-A-Wish® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic serves children who reside in central and southern Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and northern Virginia. Founded in 1983, the Mid-Atlantic chapter has granted more than 8,800 wishes in the Mid-Atlantic region since its inception. Wish kids face any number of life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease. This year alone, 840 local children are expected to be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. However, for every wish granted, at least two more local children are waiting. The community has the opportunity to make an impact today by helping Make-A-Wish to reach hundreds of kids whose wishes would go otherwise unanswered this year. For more information, please visit: midatlantic.wish.org.