A MOTHER'S LAST WISH

A BEDROOM FOR HER SON

A family in North Barrington was living with the personal anguish of a wife and mother battling aggressive cancer. Plans to have a play area for her four children and a bedroom and bathroom for her teenage son—who had been sleeping on a couch for the years she fought her cancer—were dashed by financial hardship brought on by her illness.

Our board didn't hesitate to vote to help this family but soon after we started the project, she lost her fight. While we were not able to complete her wish before she died, we did finish it and the children now have their play space and the son has his own bedroom and bathroom. No substitute for a mother but comforting knowing her final concerns were for them.

WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS ACCOMPLISHED

We spared nothing. The raw basement space was framed, insulated, dry-walled, primed, painted, and all electrical installed. The rooms were beautifully finished with tile flooring, baseboards and base shoe, recessed lighting, pocket doors, and granite vanity. She would be pleased.

Of particular note is that 26 people contributed volunteer services to this project. In addition, Ford Plumbing of Lake Zurich donated the labor and plumbing supplies, while Ferguson Enterprises supplied the ejector pump.