These days 12-year-old Haley Ford of Fuquay oftentimes sits in her bedroom decked out with soothing shades of lavender, purple and green, either watching a movie on her new TV or surfing the web.

As with several other Triangle area children, April's Angels recently presented the child with the bedroom of her dreams.

According to the National Center for Charitable Statics, (NCCS) there are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States. In North Carolina alone, their table wizard shows there are at least 43,188 such organizations, with over 5,000 based in the Triangle area, oftentimes making it a difficult choice of where to bestow your contributions.

One may wonder just how these nonprofits and foundations are weathering the economic storm. Many are not, however, many are doing okay with the help of volunteers and contributors, such as April's Angels.

"The most amazing thing it (the group) does is bring out the best in people," said Susan Stines, assistant director with April's Angels.

The organization's mission is to bring new life into the homes of families with children whose activities outside the home are limited due to their illness or condition by providing fantasy bedrooms.

Members and volunteers of the organization feel that a child’s imagination is one of their greatest gifts, and that creativity and dreams are nurtured by the right environment.

The Cary-based group works with the children to find out what excites them and how they can help their dreams and imagination grow. Those ideas are then turned into fantasy rooms with new furniture, bedding, murals and other items.

Criteria

However, in order to be a recipient, certain restrictions do apply. The child must fall in the age range of three to 17 and have a chronic medical illness or condition that limits their activities outside the home; family income must be below $60,000; and the child must reside in Wake or another surrounding county. The family must own the property to be decorated, or have signed permission from the property owner or agent.

Nomination of a child can be made by the child, a parent or legal guardian of the child, a medical professional treating the child, or a social worker or case manager of the child.

Funding

April’s Angels relies on donations from individuals and corporations to make a child's dream come true. They are a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

The group also has an Adopt-A-Room Program which allows various community and business groups to adopt a room by either providing the labor necessary for a room, providing the funds, which is usually around $2,000 per room, or both.

For more information about April’s Angels, call 919-637-3670, or visit their Web site at www.aprilsangels.org.