Special Spaces Buffalo “just what the doctor ordered”

SPRING NEWSLETTER
2012
Special Spaces Buffalo
“just what the doctor ordered”
WISH LIST:
#1
We continue to be
on the hunt for a new
or used box truck or
enclosed trailer. We
currently haul all furniture and materials for
rooms in the vans and
cars of our volunteers. If
you have any connections to new or used auto
dealers, please mention
us! All donations are tax
deductible.
#2
We have an ongoing need for lunches for
our hard working makeover day volunteers. If
you have connections to
a restaurant, caterer or
bakery who would be
interested in supplying
lunch for 12-15 volunteers, please let us know.
#3
The most common
item that we add to children’s bedrooms is a
television or some form
of electronics. If you
know of an outlet that
could donate or provide
discount electronics,
please let us know.
#4
Say a prayer and
give thanks for every day
that we are blessed with
good health.
Our Mission
Special Spaces Buffalo is a nonprofit organization that provides
vers and raising money to cover
all of our expenses. Our funding
Our long term success will not be
possible without the continued
bedroom makeovers for children
battling life threatening illnesses
exclusively comes from generous
donations by local companies and
financial support from local individuals and businesses as well as
in Western New York. Special
Spaces was founded in July 2004
individuals here in Western New
York. Our goal is to partner with
the provision of home improvement resources and materials.
on the precedent that children
battling a life-threatening illness
local businesses, groups & affiliations, and individuals willing to
Please contact us if you would like
to learn more about our mission.
needed their own special space. A
place of hope and inspiration to
make a difference in these kid’s
lives and to deliver as many bed-
find peace and comfort.
room makeovers as possible.
Special Spaces was started in
Each bedroom theme is dreamed
Knoxville Tennessee and now has
over 20 chapters throughout the
up by the child. Our mission is
to take this dream, design the
country.
bedroom changes to enhance this
The Special Spaces Buffalo team
of volunteers are responsible for
both delivering bedroom makeo-
changes in one day!
Some of the Home Depot team
helping out with Ryan’s room
Bedroom Makeovers—How They Happen
First and foremost, the child has
total control over the bedroom
Special Spaces Buffalo makes
arrangements for the family that
makeover theme. Our team of
volunteers meets with both the
day (see Donovan picture). 12-15
volunteers transform the child’s
parents and child to firm up
theme, timing and desired scope
bedroom into a place where they
can dream and be a kid. Our
of changes for the makeover.
From there, the design process
most gratifying part is when the
family returns for the big reveal!
begins!
Can you think of anything more
gratifying than helping a child
Each bedroom makeover takes
place in one day (8-10 hours).
CONTACT US:
theme, and to come up with a
plan to implement all of these
and their family at such an emotional time in their lives?
Donovan wearing the jacket the
Niagara Falls Air Force Base gave
to him during his tour of the base.
www.specialspacesbuffalo.org (716) 320-0565 PO Box 775, Williamsville, NY 14231 lynn@specialspacesbuffalo.org
Special Spaces Buffalo
Donovan’s “Military” Themed Bedroom Makeover
Currently in remission from nonHodgkins Lymphoma, 5 year old
Niagara Falls Air Force Base. Lt.
Col. Gregory Miller, a 107th Air-
a wall-sized mural of a fighter
plane, accessorized the room, and
Donovan Benzin was Special Spaces Buffalo’s first makeover recipi-
lift Wing pilot, presented Donovan with a flight jacket, escort-
set up a “tank” bed .
ent in November of 2011. Donovan’s wish was for a military-
ed the family around the base,
and trained Donovan on the C-
themed room.
130 flight simulator.
During the makeover, his family
Afterwards, the family was wel-
was chauffeured by TLC Limo
and Concierge Service of WNY
comed at Dave and Buster’s for an
afternoon of food and games
up to Niagara Falls where Donovan got the chance to be a
before returning home to his “big
reveal”. 12 big-hearted volunteers
Guardsman for the day at the
painted camouflaged walls, hung
Visit our website to see pictures of
our volunteers in action and final
bedroom.
Ben’s “Adventure” Themed Bedroom Makeover
The Hammond family has had a
tough couple years. Their 5-year-
adventure themed room with a
Jeep bed, a wall mural of the Giza
Seeing the smiles on the faces of
these children who’ve been
old son Ben is battling leukemia,
and in December, their home was
Pyramids, and the rest of the
room decorated in hand-painted
through so much this year is quite
a reward for the volunteers who
destroyed by fire. Despite that,
their attitudes remain positive.
hieroglyphics like an Egyptian
tomb. His room is lit with a
made it happen.
Ben's wish was for an adventure
room. He loves playing the Indiana Jones video game, so the SSB
team created an Indiana Jones
custom-made Crystal Skull lamp.
Ben’s two older sisters where surprised as well with a mural of a
mermaid for Madi, and a tree
growing to the ceiling for Quinn.
Ryan’s “NASCAR” Themed Bedroom
Ryan is 8 years old boy and has
been undergoing cancer treatments for over 6 years. Ryan is a
huge NASCAR & Jeff Gordon
fan, making this an obvious theme
for his room.
The Jeff Gordon foundation
contributed decorations for the
room. A Daytona race track mural was the backdrop for his race
car bed built with a television and
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DVD player built into the dashboard.
The Home Depot Foundation
graciously provided materials and
like a Craftsman toolbox, an autographed letter from Jeff Gordon,
and other car themed decorations.
volunteers to help prepare the
bedroom including the installation of flooring, drywall, and trim.
Additional NASCAR themed
items in the room included a
dresser that was painted to look
www.specialspacesbuffalo.org (716) 320-0565 PO Box 775, Williamsville, NY 14231 lynn@specialspacesbuffalo.org
Upcoming Room — Annabelle
Our only girl (so far), five year old
Annabelle, was diagnosed with
makeover in June, we include "all
the colors of the rainbow", lady
Here she is hanging out with some
of the Buffalo Sabres along with
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in October of
bugs painted on leaves, and her
three German Shepherd dogs.
Sabretooth.
2011. She's currently receiving
Chemo treatments and handling
it like a trooper. She says she
doesn't really mind not having
hair!
Annabelle enjoys baking cookies
and decorating cupcakes with her
sister Rayne. She wants to be sure
that when she gets her bedroom
Finding a Way to Help
Cancer and other life threatening
illnesses unfortunately do not
rectly and immediately impact the
lives of these children and their
time and energy we’ve expended.
We can almost guarantee it will
discriminate based on gender,
race, or age. Hearing that a child
families at a such a critical time in
their lives. With almost a year of
do the same for you.
has been stricken generates an
even greater emotional response.
planning and a couple of bedroom makeovers under our belts,
The one aspect of Special Spaces
Buffalo that has attracted all of
we can genuinely say the payback
associated with participating in
our core group of volunteers is
that this organization has provid-
fundraising events or seeing the
kid’s faces as they see their new
ed us with an opportunity to di-
bedrooms has far exceeded the
There are many different ways in
which a small portion of your
time can make a difference in
ultimately providing bedroom
makeovers to these kids. Please
contact us if you want to experience this feeling for yourself.
Featured Volunteer
Jamie Schneider is not only our
featured volunteer, but she is also
has raised money on her own,
brought other skilled volunteers
what volunteering is all about.
She is a person who always gives
a childhood cancer survivor. That
is why our mission to positively
to us, set up a demonstration and
information table at her church,
100% and does it with passion!
impact the lives of children battling life threatening illnesses is so
and even delayed her vacation
because she wanted to help at our
important to her.
first official fundraiser.
Jamie has been with us from the
Her smile is infectious, her heart
very beginning and has not only
worked on all of our bedroom
is huge, and her work ethic is
beyond compare. She is definitely
makeovers to date, but she also
a member of our 'A-Team' and is
CONTACT US:
We don't think that Special Spaces could make Jamie a better person, but we do know that Special
Spaces is better because of her!
www.specialspacesbuffalo.org (716) 320-0565 PO Box 775, Williamsville, NY 14231 lynn@specialspacesbuffalo.org
Volunteers in Action!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q—What ways can I help Special Spaces Buffalo?
A—We are always looking for volunteers to help with delivering bedroom
makeovers, raising funds, and building relationships in the community.
Q—My company would like to sponsor and deliver a bedroom makeover?
A—Companies, church groups, families, etc. can do it all! Contact our director Lynn Wall to discuss the arrangements in order to have your group be a
part of the design and delivery of a Special Spaces bedroom makeover.
Q—How are children selected for bedroom makeovers?
A—Special Spaces does not, and will not, base the decision of acceptance on
income level, race, or sex and will comply with guidelines established by our
national affiliation. Special Spaces does however have an age requirement between 2 and 18 years of age.
Q— I have a group of people who would like to help with a Special Spaces
Buffalo fundraiser, how can we help?
A—Contact our director Lynn Wall to talk about being a part of an active
fundraising event or raising funds on your own. We continue to be amazed
and blessed with the extraordinary support WNY has provided so far.
Special Thanks
Special Spaces Buffalo exists solely on the generous donations of individuals & organizations. We'd like thank the
following people and companies, for without their donations of money, love, and support, we couldn't be successful.
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Home Depot
Clarence Fire Hall
Passport Wine & Spirits
Chili’s
Dave & Busters
Philipps Bros. Supplies
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TLC of WNY Limo &
Concierge Service
Gold’s Gym
Buffalo Sabres
Sue Kilger
Sue Perencevic
Chris Zona
Michelle Smith
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The Rappl Family
Clarence Youth Bureau
Tracey Aubertine
The Diver Family
Dash’s
Gianni Mazia’s
Kristin Rotella
Health & Fitness Advantage
Debbie Fleming
Gretchen Domingo
Aaron Tarnowski
Nicky Langworthy
Gillian Dusel
Mike Basil Motors
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Buffalo Advertising Mgmt.
UPrinting.com
Kid Rock Foundation
Kohl’s
Valu Home Centers
Multiple Solutions
D&M Plywood
RT Dee & Associates
Reid Petroleum
The Pampered Pooch
All Creatures Animal Hospital
Megan Swartz & Adam Smith
Ed Skierzcynski
John Podvezko
www.specialspacesbuffalo.org (716) 320-0565 PO Box 775, Williamsville, NY 14231 lynn@specialspacesbuffalo.org