CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Nine-year-old Clay Coleman came home Sunday, Nov. 8, after spending the weekend in Nashville to find his dream of a treehouse in his backyard on Kenwood Drive.
The treehouse was built by members of Bikers Who Care (BWC), with the support of volunteers and local businesses.
Coleman walked into the backyard with his family holding his mother’s hand because she had covered his eyes with a mask for the big surprise. His face filled with a smile, his mouth flew open, and after a brief pause, he made a run for the ladder for what is sure to be his first of many climbs.
Coleman was born with medical problems involving his heart and lungs, and his mother, Leanne Norris, said it has been a rough road and praised all of those involved in supporting her family and the gift of the treehouse, which had renewed her love and wonderment in humanity.
“The love of these people, the Dream Factory, Camp Rainbow and Bikers Who Care, it’s amazing that these people give of their time, their thoughts, their money and everything to help somebody,” Norris said.
It was a bit hard to slow Coleman down from wanting to play in his new treehouse, but he did stop for a moment to share how excited he was. “It’s amazing, I love the slide, the sniper spot on the top, I love everything about it,” Coleman said.
The treehouse is 12 feet by 12 feet with windows, a loft and a slide, and it even has electricity. Coleman had told the Dream Factory that he wanted a treehouse so he could shoot zombies, and he has a pair of binoculars mounted on the front railing. There are plans for workers to stain the treehouse to give it some color along with some other improvements.
BWC treasurer Billy Hughes said they were glad to make it happen for Coleman and there were close to 70 members of Bikers Who Care and other volunteers that were part of the work on the site.