A local football team is raising money to help a young girl’s dream come true.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Addison Berry was born with a rare disorder.
“Addison is born with 22q, DiGeorge Syndrome, which we found out about after she was born. She presented with part of her heart missing,” said Addison’s mother Hilary Berry.
Due to her illness, Addison has developmental delays and is nonverbal.
But that doesn’t stop her from communicating.
Addison can talk to her parents through basic sign language and can say hello, please, help, and more.
When the Jr. Wildcat Football Team heard about Addison’s illness, they wanted to make a difference.
“We had a fundraiser where we sold some tickets and we used the money that we got and we got it all together and we donated it to Special Spaces to create Addison’s room,” said Jr. Wildcat Football Player Justin Nonnenmann.
“We’re doing it because we’re lucky to have this opportunity to play, and she’s battling and going through a lot of stuff that we never would’ve imagined we would’ve. So we’re just trying to help out,” said Jr. Wildcat Football Player Ryan Snell.
The players teamed up with Special Spaces, a non-profit that helps create dream bedrooms for children with illnesses.
But to do that, they’d need the funds.
“I think our goal was $4,000 and we exceeded that by $80, so we raised $4,080,” said Snell.
It was no small task – and their efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
“I’m so impressed with these boys being this age. It was a hard task to hit $4,000, and they exceeded it quickly and with enthusiasm. They were all smiling when I was telling them what they’re going to have to do even though they have to glitter and paint,” said Associate Director of Chicagoland Special Spaces Christy Gallagher.
Jr. Wildcat teammates will have one full day to create a special space for Addison.
The Berry family is full of emotion as these two organizations work together to help their daughter.
“I think we’re nervous. We’re so excited we know that whatever they do is going to be awesome. It’s nerve wrecking we have to leave the house and know they’re going to be here and fix it and we come home and there’s this big surprise,” said Berry.
December 2 is the official room makeover.
If you want to contribute, you can go to Addison’s room makeover with Special Spaces on Facebook.
Creating a special space for Addison, while trading their helmets for hammers.
Naperville News 17’s Dimitri Villanueva reports.
