TO GIVE, TO INSPIRE | Benet Special Spaces Gives Kids with Cancer a Bedroom Makeover

CREATING BEDROOM MAKEOVERS FOR KIDS WITH CANCER

Local Branch of National Organization Brings Joy to Kids with Cancer with a Bedroom Makeover

NAPERVILLE–Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. I know mine is. A place to go to relax, read, take a nap, and just get away. If there was ever a need for a child to have a place to escape from their daily struggles and be immersed in their own dream world, it would be the children who endure the long process of cancer treatments.

The national organization, Special Spaces, helps develop that very special place to be a kid by creating dream bedroom makeovers for dependent children ages 2-19 with cancer that are within one year of treatment. One of the local branches in Naperville, Benet Special Spaces, was just recently founded in August of 2020 by a group of Benet Academy students that came together to help the community. “Getting to see the joy that we bring not only to the child but the whole family, warms our hearts,” says Jaya Punwani, Founder/President of Benet Special Spaces.

Since opening the Naperville chapter, the organization has already raised over $12,000. Each bedroom costs $5,000 to ensure they are giving kids the most creative and comfortable room possible. The pandemic has made fundraising slightly more difficult; however, they are lucky to have generous businesses and sponsors to help fund their projects. In normal circumstances, once the necessities are purchased, they transform the bedroom and have a bedroom reveal day. Due to current Covid restrictions, Special Spaces created a safe alternative to the reveal days. It is called Bedroom in a Box where the team sets up a tent outside that acts as a makeshift room and is decorated. The family is then provided with all the materials for the themed room which they use to complete the bedroom.

There are so many ways the community can get involved with Benet Special Spaces by donating funds, sponsoring a room or attending a fundraising event. Last fall, they had their first virtual Thanksgiving 5K, and they are currently planning a Special Spaces Charity Golf event. For more information, or to donate to the cause, visit their website at

www.benetspecialspaces.wixsite.com/spreadthelove/our-mission.

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