Dallas coverage

Posted : 05/31/2019

Q What is your mission or highest purpose?
A The mission of Dec My Room is to create a healing place for kids and teens who are hospitalized for three weeks or longer. Our team of volunteers funds this by taking a child’s wish list and shopping for personalized items that are colorful and help them to feel like they are in their own bedroom. They, of course, take their new items when they are able to leave the hospital.

Q How did your career path lead you to this position?
A I have always served in the healthcare industry but mainly on the business side in the field of public relations. I left the business sector and felt a calling to volunteer; so I was a volunteer in Houston for Dec My Room since its founding. We moved to Dallas and it was a natural fit to step into the role of director.

Q Why are you passionate about helping this charity?
A When you have the chance to have such personal connection with patients and bring them items that make their faces light up, that’s the real reward.

Q What is difficult about your job?
A I set out to grow Dec My Room in North Texas organically and deliberately. At first, the fundraising, which was outside of my comfort zone, kept me up at night. But this is such a meaningful charity, that it really resonates with people looking to volunteer or donate. It only costs $300 to decorate a room, so we continue to find donors and attract volunteers willing to commit to “dec’ing’” three to five rooms a year.

Q What sort of volunteer jobs are available?
A Volunteers drive our nonprofit, so that is our greatest need. Also, there are opportunities to help with communications, data tracking and corporate partnerships.

Q Suppose this nonprofit received a $20,000 donation today … where would it immediately be put to good use?
A As we have our auxiliary in place, we can begin to expand to other hospitals, so these funds would go directly to decorating 66 rooms!

Q What is the most memorable thing that has happened since you began?
A One story that has stayed with me is the phone call that I received shortly after a team of volunteers dec’ed for a teenager. He had been bitter and angry for nearly six months. Then there was a voicemail left by his grandmother who was in tears telling me that for the first time since his diagnosis, her grandson started smiling again and his anger dissipated. As she said, “We saw our grandson again.” That’s why we do what we do.