A treehouse for Emma Seville first responders grant 9-year-old girl's special wish

SEVILLE — Nine-year-old Seville resident Emma Gilbert lives with a condition making it impossible for her to climb into a tree — forget about a treehouse. Earlier this month, village first responders said, "No problem," and brought the treehouse to her. After Emma's mother, Shellene Gilbert, was unable to find a tree house online that was made to fit over a bed, a couple of police officers got the ball rolling on fundraising to build one themselves. Ensuing donations from businesses including Lodi Lumber led to the creation of "Emma's House," which was delivered to her by a caravan of police officers and firefighters. The group carried pieces into the family's home and constructed it before an ecstatic recipient, who said she was excited to show it to her "BFF." Emma was referring to her "BBF," Jordan Pollack, a fellow 9-year-old Seville boy who's also living with a life-changing medical condition, spina bifida. Emma's mother said it's been hard to get her out of the bed. "She loves it," Shellene said. "She loves to just be in there playing with her iPad and is looking forward to showing it off. It's also great for her to do her homework in or as a little reading nook. We were just overwhelmed by the generosity and the way people reached out." "I'm happy I got to show it to Jordan before we left for vacation," Emma said. "I didn't expect this to mean so much to everyone and it makes me happy." In 2016, Emma was diagnosed with vanishing white matter leukodystrophy, a rare neurological disease that significantly impairs motor function; most cases are discovered among children 2-6 years old. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the worldwide occurrence rate of the disease is not yet known. Seville officials have helped Emma and Jordan with fundraisers in the past as the two are regular lemonade stand proprietors during the annual Seville Yard Sale. Money also was raised in the past to grant one of Jordan's wishes, an electric police car he's been able to ride in ever since. In 2018, Mayor Carol Carter and first responders started a campaign to help the lemonade stand while Emma and her family were putting money together for a new wheelchair. This latest surprise just continues the community's support of a little girl with big dreams. "Our officers went over to Lodi Lumber and the head of Lodi Lumber said, 'All I want in return is a picture of the smile on Emma's face,'" Carter said. "It was all a labor of love. When the mom lifted her little girl into that bed, she was so happy. She couldn't wait to tell Jordan. It was just amazing to get to be a part of it. It's what Seville is all about." Police Officer Josh Thompson was the first person Emma's mother called to inquire about a homemade treehouse. That led to Thompson touching base with fellow officer Taylor Deal, who drew up carpentry plans. "It was our pleasure, to say the least," said Thompson, a four-year member of the Seville police. "Fire and ambulance helped us out a lot with delivery too in terms of having a truck with enough space. "It makes the job and everything going around in the world today worth it. It put a smile on my face for the rest of the day." Custom blankets embroidered with Emma's name were included in the package, which were handmade by resident Karen Phillips, wife of police Staff Sgt. Scott Phillips. A video documentation of the treehouse being delivered to Emma can be found at shorturl.at/BCJLS. "We're so thankful," Shellene said. "It's truly heartwarming to see people come together and take on such a big project. It's special to Emma and it's special to all of us. You could tell it meant a lot to them for Emma to have this experience that children typically get to have. We'll never forget it." Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.