Students Decorate Nursery For Canton Mother In Need

CANTON, GA -- A Canton woman’s smile is a little brighter this week after a volunteer workforce of Chattahoochee Technical College Interiors students unveiled the nautical-themed nursery they had spent nearly an entire semester planning and designing.

Jennie Chamness is expecting her second son, Asher, next month, and while she has hit some bumps in the road along her journey, she said receiving a completely furnished nursery has been a dream come true.

CTC student Michelle Kay of Marietta was the mastermind behind the nursery overhaul, as it was her connection with a pregnancy support center in Woodstock that made the entire project possible.

“Really, it was a collaborative effort,” she said. “I had a connection at The HOPE Center and when we approached them with the idea, they loved it. It was a little bit of everyone networking and us putting it all together.”

While attending college three years ago, Chamness learned that she was pregnant with her oldest son, Adley, and turned to The HOPE Center for support when resources became tight. Chamness said she has continued to utilize the services offered by the center, such as discounted diapers and wipes, and it was there she learned that Chattahoochee Technical College Interiors students were looking to decorate a nursery for a mother in need.

Chamness put her name in the drawing and was selected in September. Interiors Instructor Ginger Burton said eight members of the college’s Interiors Club got right to work and began pulling furniture from thrift stores and reaching out to other businesses in the community for donated materials, such as new carpet form Enhance Floors in Marietta and paint from Sherwin-Williams in Hickory Flat.

“I am so proud of what they have accomplished," Burton said. "Their enthusiasm was off the charts."

The nursery features a refurbished crib, changing table dresser, an armoire and a rocking chair. Finishing touches to the nautical-themed room included an anchor marquee light, paddle and a wooden ship wheel.

“This has been such a rewarding project,” Kay said. “We created such a beautiful design, but it was challenging because we had to revamp this space with no money. This just goes to show that you can enhance any space with little to no money.”

While in the throes of the holiday season, Kay said it feels much better to give rather than receive.

Photo: Interiors students Kelsey Terwilliger and Heather Bedo add finishing touches to a wooden ship wheel. Credit: Chattahoochee Technical College