The Make-A-Wish Foundation wants to fulfill a wish for 6-year-old Ella Schultz. Ella more than anything wants to beat cancer. Besides that, she wants her own playhouse in her backyard. The foundation lined up a construction crew to build it. The neighbors were all for it. But the family’s Home Owners Association said no. "The proposed plan they've given us is a violation of our covenants."
When the story hit the local news, backlash was immediate. Neighbors decorated their mailboxes in green to show their support for Ella. People took to Twitter and other social media sites to spread the word. At least one person has offered to pay any fines incurred if the playhouse is built. The HOA removed its board members names and email addresses from its website. Wednesday night, the HOA board issued a statement.
The board has met for the better half of the day and at this time we would like to release the following statement.
Our hearts are with Ella Schultz and her family as they battle this terrible illness. Our homeowners' association board is committed to working with Make-A-Wish Foundation and J.E. Dunn to see if we can figure out a way to make Ella's wish come true. The initial request from Make-A-Wish to place a barn-style shed was not accepted because the board did not have enough information to grant an exception to the subdivision's covenants. In hopes of getting enough information, we are requesting an immediate meeting with Make-A-Wish and J.E. Dunn Construction to work out a solution in the most expeditious manner possible.
Meanwhile, Ella was taken to a hospital hospital with a fever and infection. Read the rest of the story at KCTV 5. -via Uproxx
Update: The HOA has reversed their decision.