Local Nonprofit Launches With Room Makeover For Boy With Leukemia

A new nonprofit kicked off last week by completely making over a room for a child with leukemia.

Team Make a Difference—President Audra Crowther, Vice President Marijo Persico, Secretary Sandra Roechner, Vice President Margaret Loughran and Treasurer Stephanie Paschke—launched last week with a room makeover for 7-year-old Luchiano Eberhard.

Team Make a Difference began after one of its own officers, Persico, was stricken with cancer.

"Team Make a Difference was dreamt up after a dear friend, Marijo, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer," according to the group's literature. "During the grueling treatment process, the numerous trips to the hospital, and the endless days spent sick recovering in bed, Marijo kept fighting, not for herself, but for her three kids. At this time she forgot about herself, and kept her main focus on her children, which is what most people do in similar situations."

Crowther "planned a secret bedroom makeover and transformed Marijo's room into a special retreat, a little piece of heaven for Marijo so that she could rest, regain her strength and hope and get back to what she loved doing most ... caring for her children," the group said.

Luchiano was selected for the group's first official project. The middle child of five siblings, Luchiano is in the midst of a three-and-a-half year treatment for his leukemia.

Business partners helped Team Make a Difference with the endeavor. The Eberhard family was put up at Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort in Utica while the work was done, and Nonie's Bakery & Cafe in Utica, R-Place in Morris and Skoog's Pub & Grill in Utica provided meals.

Other business partners are Beardsley Construction in Morris, Brown Bear Painting in Morris, Budget Blinds in Shorewood, Joliet Pattern, Kiddie Kampus Learning Center in Channahon, Narvick Bros. Lumber Co. in Morris, Painting by Kitchells in Morris, Photographic Designs By Jacquelyne Rochelle  in Morris, R.B. Crowther Co. in Morris, and Simian Brothers Creative in Morris.

Crowther singled out Narvick Bros, in particular.

"Barry and Diane Narvick of Narvick Bros. Lumber Co. of Morris have been so supportive and generous from the beginning and have agreed to donate all paint for all our makeovers," she said.

Team Make a Difference is accepting applications for the "Heroes" for whom they will do room makeovers, as well as applications for prospective volunteers and those wishing to pursue a scholarship.

For more information, check out the group's website and Facebook page.

Go take a look at our Facebook page too.