We Built Kalli a Tree House

Every child deserves a place that’s all theirs — and it’s even better if that location lets them breathe in the fresh air and spend time in nature.

At Superior Construction Services, we understand why kids need safe, fun outdoor spaces. That’s why we jumped at the chance to build a treehouse for six-year-old Kalli from Glen Arm, Maryland.

Kalli has spent the last two years in treatment for leukemia, and her numerous hospital stays mean she missed out on many childhood joys — including simply playing outside. She requested a treehouse from the Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic foundation so she would have her own place to play and simply be a kid.

In September, we were thrilled to complete this project and share the end result with Kalli and her family.  

Kalli’s Wish

When we first learned about Kalli’s wish for a treehouse, we got in touch to find out what kind of treehouse she wanted.

We were immediately impressed by Kalli’s giving heart and love for her family. She didn’t just ask for a treehouse for herself. She specifically wished for one with bunk beds so she could have sleepovers in the backyard with her younger sisters!

After learning about Kalli’s wish and her goals for the treehouse, we immediately got to work designing and building this incredible structure, complete with a reading and drawing corner, a play kitchen, and three bunk beds!

Our Process

From new homes to historic restorations, our team at Superior Construction Services has worked on all kinds of building projects, including treehouses like Kalli’s.

With over 30 years of custom building experience, we were confident in our ability to construct a treehouse that aligned with Kalli’s wishes, had a one-of-a-kind design, and was structurally sound. However, we needed some help to complete this project in a timely manner.

Luckily, we’ve established incredible community connections with interior designers, lumber distributors, and other vendors over the last several decades.

We first reached out to our friends Luke Wence and Brandon Morris of Barrons Lumber Company, and they responded by donating all of the treehouse’s building materials. Wence and Morris have collaborated with us in the past, and we were glad to have them in our corner while we built Kalli’s treehouse.

We’re proud of our building and designing skills. However, we also knew we’d need some help to ensure the inside of Kalli’s treehouse looked as impressive as the outside.

That’s why we got in touch with Kathleen Soloway of Design for Change. She provided interior design services and various pieces of furniture to put the finishing touches on the project.

The Unveiling

The timing of this project’s completion is especially significant because it coincided perfectly with the end of Kalli’s leukemia treatment. The day before we unveiled her treehouse, Kalli rang the bell at John Hopkins Hospital to celebrate her completed treatment protocol.

Many people celebrated the end of Kalli’s treatment and her new treehouse, including Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. Hogan, who was diagnosed with B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in June 2015, said that “brave children just like Kalli” inspired him daily to continue fighting while he battled cancer.

Hogan first announced that he was cancer-free in September 2016, and his five-year screening in June 2020 also came back cancer-free.

Superior Construction Services proudly paid for and procured the entire cost of Kalli’s treehouse, contributing extensive labor and various materials at no cost to her family.

Not Our First Treehouse Rodeo

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to build Kalli’s treehouse and make her wish come true. We also felt confident that we could complete the project promptly because this wasn’t our first treehouse rodeo.

In June of this year, we built a treehouse for seven-year-old Andrew, who was also battling leukemia. Andrew wished for a unique treehouse with dragon-like patterns and abstract windows, and we were happy to oblige.

Superior Construction and Make a Wish

Our team at Superior Construction Services first started working with the Make a Wish foundation earlier this year. We saw an ad asking for help constructing a treehouse for Andrew, and it was apparent to us that we should chip in and share our expertise.

After all, we’re award-winning general contractors. We knew we could complete this project and grant a child’s wish, so why wouldn’t we take it on?

We are also Pro Mid Atlantic Remodeling Association members, which means we’ve committed ourselves to community service. We understand that we wouldn’t have a successful construction business without the support of our community, so we love to give back whenever we can.

Our team has loved working on treehouses for Andrew and Kalli, and we’re eager to contribute to other projects and fulfill more children’s wishes in the future.

We may have completed Kalli’s treehouse, but we’re certainly not finished partnering with the Make a Wish foundation and granting wishes for other kids in need. In fact, we’re just getting started!

Special Thanks for Kalli’s Treehouse

We couldn’t have completed this project without the help of other vendors. Luke Wence and Brandon Morris of Barrons Lumber Company donated all of the treehouse’s building materials, and Kathleen Soloway of Design for Change offered interior design services and furniture free of charge.

We’re grateful to Wence, Morris, and Soloway for their help and support.

We also appreciate the Pro Mid Atlantic Remodeling Association’s Executive Director Angela Hubbard, who presented us with this incredible opportunity and gave us a chance to give back to the community.

We must also thank our friends at the Make a Wish Foundation — especially Katie Young — who collaborated with us to complete the project for Kalli and have given us two opportunities to make children’s dreams come true.

Finally, we would be remiss not to shout out Governor Larry Hogan for his ongoing support of the Make a Wish Foundation and local businesses like Superior Construction Services. Hogan is an inspiration, and we wish him continued good health moving forward.

At Superior Construction Services, we’re passionate about completing construction projects of all types and sizes, and we love giving back to our community. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to build this treehouse for Kalli, and we thank her, her family, and the Make a Wish foundation for trusting us with this undertaking.