Snap One Contributes to Realizing 'Tommy's Place' for Children Battling Cancer
By AVNetwork Staff( AV Network )
The nonprofit gathered donations to establish a secondary theme-park-style destination featuring personalized kids' rooms.
(Image credit: Snap One)
In the northeastern United States, the Tommy's Place Foundation has emerged as a symbol of compassion for young cancer patients. The foundation offers complimentary week-long getaways to the extended families of these patients at the picturesque Cape Cod, MA. Following the success of their initial residence in Falmouth, where over 100 families enjoyed fully booked stays over two years, the foundation's second location in nearby Centerville has been finalized. It's now welcoming its inaugural guest families.
Similar to the first establishment, founder Tim O’Connell collaborated closely with donors, contractors, artists, and manufacturers. Together, they secured financial contributions, as well as time and product donations, to convert a 19th-century, 7,000-square-foot inn into a contemporary vacation haven equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. Notably, Snap One's modern smart home technology played a key role in this transformation.
This 10-bedroom abode brings joy to its occupants with creatively painted themed rooms showcasing beloved cartoon characters, a Lego haven, an Audrey Hepburn-inspired room, and more. Additionally, a Control4 automation system simplifies the control of every light within the house.
"Some families wait for up to a year to have the opportunity to stay at Tommy's Place. Unfortunately, there were instances of tragic deaths occurring before families could have their scheduled stays. This compelled me to start developing the second location, as time was of the essence," O’Connell clarified. "We receive referrals from nine different hospitals, including the University of Massachusetts and University of Vermont Children’s Hospital. Some of the care providers now view Tommy's Place as an integral part of the healing process. It's truly exciting that we can now accommodate twice as many families, offering double the amount of much-needed joy."
Through operating the initial property, O’Connell realized that for a vacation experience to be truly carefree, the home's layout must be intuitive, even down to the placement of light switches. Upon acquiring the property, the organization swiftly recognized the necessity for significant infrastructure upgrades to provide modern comforts. This included implementing comprehensive whole-home climate controls, renovating a bedroom hallway that previously had only a single light switch at one end, and establishing a robust wireless internet network to ensure reliable Wi-Fi connections for all the home's electronics and TVs.
(Image credit: Snap One)
Snap One played an integral role in the initial Tommy's Place residence, once again contributing over $100,000 worth of donated equipment to O’Connell's cause. They also facilitated the engagement of local integration firm Extreme Audio & Video to oversee the design and installation of the new electronics and systems.
Extreme Audio & Video owner Mike Astin commented, "This project presented some of the most challenging aspects we've encountered, yet it remains the most gratifying. Dealing with older structures involves hurdles like outdated electrical wiring and diverse construction materials. However, we effectively surmounted these obstacles using contemporary wireless technologies, including the Control4 smart home system, Access Networks networking equipment, and a Lutron smart lighting solution. It's always fulfilling to contribute to the communities we serve and are a part of, knowing that we played a role in uplifting spirits and crafting memories for families navigating unimaginable circumstances."
Although the house boasts 10 bedrooms and is designed to host up to 18 family members concurrently, there are only four televisions, fostering a focus on family activities rather than excessive screen time. For those seeking an extra special family movie occasion, an outdoor SunBrite TV delivers a distinctive way to enjoy favorite content, complemented by an Episode outdoor speaker system ensuring professional-grade audio.
The home's offerings, including a space-themed arcade room, a puppet theater, an arts and crafts area, a full-size toy bar counter, and a children's library, provide abundant entertainment during inclement weather and snowy winters. Moreover, an expansive backyard sandbox guarantees enjoyment for the entire family, all just a brief stroll from the beach. Essentially, every facet of the home is meticulously designed to evoke awe and elicit smiles.
O’Connell emphasized the personal and profound nature of this initiative, noting, "In the second house, we've further infused our personal connection and dedication. We incorporated a wall depicting children cheering on new guests, featuring past guests who have unfortunately passed away. The addition of more themed rooms here stems from witnessing the children's eyes light up upon encountering them – it mirrors the enchantment of a theme park. A significant aspect of the vacations' uniqueness is the ability to invite extended families at no expense. We've even had guests who welcomed various individuals throughout the week. Many of these families are unable to plan destination getaways due to medical or financial constraints, so providing them with this local opportunity truly creates a magical experience."
(Image credit: Snap One)
The seamless experience hinges on the flawless operation of the behind-the-scenes technology. This is precisely where the Control4 system and Lutron lighting switches prove indispensable. With these tools, Extreme Audio & Video managed to enhance guests' control to a remarkable extent. Notably, they introduced a master button capable of turning off all the lights at night, sparing guests the need to inspect each room individually. The technology also facilitated the integration of new wireless light switches in areas with outdated designs, such as hallways. Certain spaces, like the kitchen and master bedroom, have been outfitted with wall-mounted touch panels that offer control over lighting and climate.
A pivotal element ensuring the property's enduring success and visitor satisfaction is the OvrC remote system management solution. This innovation empowers Extreme Audio & Video to instantaneously monitor equipment status, adjust settings, and reset devices directly from their smartphones. This capability is crucial in guaranteeing the proper functioning of vital components like wireless access points, and it can even alert technical experts to issues before they become apparent to users.
"Our aim is to ensure that every stay is effortless, allowing everyone to fully enjoy themselves," expressed O’Connell. "To achieve this, we replenish the pantry with essential supplies each week and offer gift cards for the local grocery store. With an abundance of activities at the house and minimal concerns, some families choose to stay indoors, even though the beach is just a stone's throw away. This is particularly significant during the winter months, and since the day we opened, we've had reservations for the entire 52 weeks of the year."
Due to demand surpassing availability, the trips are granted through a lottery system. Collaborating hospitals can nominate patients aged 3 to 17 from New England who are currently undergoing treatment to be included in the lottery. After determining the winners for each week, the families have 48 hours to confirm or decline the booking. At present, the original residence in Falmouth is fully booked until 2023, and both locations are projected to be fully reserved for 2024 by this upcoming autumn.