What began as a play set provided by a local realty firm for its annual community service project turned into a entire remodeled house for a family with children still recovering from years of battling a life-threatening illness.
Meet Rhenee and Kevin Berger, three of whose five children had been diagnosed with leukocyte adhesion deficiency, a rare disorder that leaves patients without a functioning immune system. The children are now healthy, thanks to bone marrow transplants from sibling donors; however, they will need yearly exams the rest of their lives.
After moving out during the eight-day transformation, the family returned in a limo to see their remodeled home with $60,000 worth of renovations.
“I found out about this amazing family through the Periwinkle Foundation, which sent my son to camp after his cancer diagnosis four years ago,” Michelle Tsatsaronis, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands, said in a press release. “I thought we could do something nice for the children as part of Keller Williams’ Red Day."
The realty group was just about to purchase the playground equipment when officials at Gracepoint Homes learned that the Bergers didn't have enough bedrooms for the children in their 2,800-square-foot home in Spring and pitched in on the project.
After moving out during the eight-day transformation, the family returned in a limo to see their remodeled home with $60,000 worth of renovations on Thursday. Raylee Berger, 4, was thrilled to find her bedroom outfitted for a princess — complete with a chandelier. Aiden, 8 and, Joshua, 9, were excited to see their bedroom, now with bunk beds and plenty of storage below, decorated in a Houston Texans theme on one side and Dallas Cowboys on the other.
Kevin, the oldest son at age 11, loves his new Longhorn-themed bedroom, and Zachary, 17 months, has a nautical-inspired nursery.
And in the back yard, the swing set that started the project in motion, gleamed in the sunlight as the kids raced outside to play.
Michelle Tsatsaronis with Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands and Tom Cox Jr., president of Gracepoint Homes.
The building at 4911 will be torn down for the new greenspace. Holland Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M./Facebook