News Summary
Once Upon a Room celebrated a significant milestone by transforming its 100th hospital room at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids. The room, a colorful ‘unicorn wonderland’ for 7-year-old Stella McCarthy, exemplifies the nonprofit’s mission to ease emotional strain on families during tough times. Founded in 2023, Once Upon a Room brings joy to young patients with personalized room makeovers and supportive initiatives, making their hospital stays more comfortable and engaging.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – The nonprofit organization Once Upon a Room celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday by decorating its 100th hospital room at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The honored room transformation was for 7-year-old Stella McCarthy, who received a vibrant makeover that turned her space into a “pink and purple unicorn wonderland.” This heartwarming event is a testament to the organization’s mission of alleviating the emotional strain on families during challenging times.
Founded in 2023, the Grand Rapids chapter of Once Upon a Room has rapidly made an impact since its official launch in February. The organization operates in 39 hospitals across 13 states, and its aim is to provide connections, compassion, and joy to young patients whose hospital stays can last for extended periods. Each room makeover includes personalized touches, such as custom bedding, wall decals, banners, and personal items tailored to the child’s interests, culminating in a unique environment that reflects their personality and preferences.
In addition to the room transformations, Once Upon a Room also focuses on supporting hospital resources. It stocks the family pantry at Mary Free Bed and assists child life specialists with various activities and resources, further enhancing the overall experience for young patients and their families. The goal is to create an atmosphere where children can feel comfort and distraction during challenging recovery periods.
Stella McCarthy, who had been recovering from surgery for nearly a month prior to her room reveal, was the perfect candidate for this uplifting experience. Her mother, Jillian McCarthy, expressed surprise and joy upon seeing the beautifully redesigned space, emphasizing Stella’s tenacity and hard work throughout her recovery. The room makeover serves not only to cheer up Stella but also to celebrate her progress and determination during a difficult time.
The emotional nature of room reveals was highlighted by Stephanie Trexler, the founder of the Grand Rapids chapter. She noted that these events are often difficult to get through without tears, as they represent not just aesthetic changes, but significant emotional support for both the patients and their families. The reactions of the children and their families underscore the importance of these transformations in helping them cope with the stresses of hospitalization.
To ensure that each room makeover is relevant to the child’s interests, Once Upon a Room provides entertainment items based on the child’s preferences. For example, Stella’s room included a game of Guess Who, one of her favorites, ensuring that the room isn’t just a place to rest, but also a source of fun and engagement.
Trexler’s inspiration for the Grand Rapids chapter came from her personal experiences, where she witnessed a similar room decorating initiative in Dallas. Intrigued by the concept, she pursued volunteer opportunities, which eventually led to the establishment of the local chapter. With the success of the room makeovers and ongoing support initiatives, Once Upon a Room is poised to continue its mission of bringing joy and comfort to children in hospitals.
The 100th room reveal at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital stands as a symbol of what can be achieved through community efforts and the dedication of volunteers. By transforming hospital rooms into playful, personalized spaces, the organization helps make a tough journey just a little easier for young patients and their families.
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- WWMT News
- WZZM13 News
- MLive
- Wood TV
- Best Hospitals in Michigan
- Wikipedia: Hospital
- Google Search: hospital room decor
- Google Scholar: nonprofit hospital initiatives
- Encyclopedia Britannica: nonprofit organization
- Google News: hospital improvement projects
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
