At Berardi Immigration Law, November is the month of gratitude. With Thanksgiving around the corner, it is a time to reflect on what we’re grateful for and give back to the community. Berardi Immigration Law closed its Williamsville office on November 11 and spent the day working with Special Spaces Buffalo to create a dream bedroom for a local girl battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Special Spaces Buffalo is devoted to bringing peace, comfort and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses. “Many rooms at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and other hospitals throughout WNY are filled with children fighting for their lives, and families who are struggling to make ends meet,” writes Lynn Weber-Wall of Special Spaces. “For these children and families, small victories and miracles are often what gets them through this challenging time. Special Spaces Buffalo works hard to create those small miracles.”
The nonprofit Special Spaces started in Knoxville, TN, and now more than 20 chapters nationwide have performed hundreds of bedroom makeovers for children in need.
The November 11 project was for Kayla, age 15, who is now in remission after battling AML. The anchor is a symbol of hope and strength that is very meaningful to Kayla, so she requested a nautical theme. Her new bedroom’s design would also incorporate her love of painting and dance, and her favorite colors teal blue, purple and white.
While Kayla and her family enjoyed a day of activities planned by Special Spaces, the team got to work. Volunteers arrived armed with a bevy of supplies that would be used in the redecoration. The Special Spaces crew and the ladies of Berardi Immigration Law sanded and painted walls, built and refurbished furniture, sewed curtains, hung artwork and placed each adornment. Great care was taken in the planning of every detail of Kayla’s new bedroom. After eight hours, their handiwork was ready to be revealed. It was the fastest transformation that Special Spaces Buffalo had ever completed.
Kayla could hardly believe her eyes when she opened her bedroom door. The formerly purple walls were bright blue with white trim and accents, and the anchor motif scattered liberally throughout. Kayla’s closet had been restructured to organize her clothing and accessories, and lighting had been added to her windows to add some extra sparkle. Atop a new console table were an easel, canvas, paint and brushes.
To see the big reveal, visit Special Spaces Buffalo’s Facebook page at facebook.com/SpecialSpacesBuffalo. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved with Special Spaces Buffalo, visit specialspacesbuffalo.org. Volunteers and donations are always needed.
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