Fellow construction teams in Oklahoma help make a wish come true

When a child named Grayson was granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, it took more than goodwill to make it real. It took a builder.

Construction teams around Oklahoma volunteered their time and expertise to coordinate and construct a one-of-a-kind treehouse for Grayson, a structure built the way these companies build everything: with care, craftsmanship, and an eye for doing it right. The treehouse, nestled between two trees, was brought to life with the help of Willowbrook Construction, Gellenbeck Construction and Barnes Concrete, who gave their time and skills to the project.

Grayson's road to that treehouse was anything but easy. Before Make-A-Wish ever made the call, his family had spent months navigating transfusions, extended hospital stays and a relentless string of challenges just to get him to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. When they arrived, they were exhausted and desperate for good news. They were told Grayson's name had been submitted to Make-A-Wish. They never expected it to move so quickly.

Within weeks of arriving at St. Jude and establishing his treatment plan, the call came.

"For the first time in a long time, we saw Grayson smile again," his dad, Jared Collier, said. "He suddenly had something to hope for. Something to dream about. Something beyond treatments, hospital rooms, and uncertainty."

Grayson never wavered on what he wanted. He wished for a treehouse, high in the trees, where he could spend time with his cousins and his dogs. He held onto that dream for more than two years while a contractor was found. Building a true treehouse at that height was no small task, and the search took time.

Then the family met the teams of Willowbrook, Gellenbeck and Barnes.

"From our very first meeting in the spring of 2026, we could feel their excitement and commitment to making Grayson's wish come true," Jared said. "When Grayson heard how high the treehouse would be built, his eyes lit up. He was thrilled."

The project came together the weekend before the Fourth of July 2026. The team did exactly that.

"I had the honor and privilege to help make a wish come true for Grayson through the Make-A-Wish Foundation," Gary Rosebrough of Willowbrook said. "Over a very long career of building and managing major commercial projects, this was my finest moment. Thank you to Barnes Construction and Gellenbeck Construction for making it happen."

“When Willowbrook brought Grayson's dream to our attention through Make-A-Wish, we were immediately on board,” said Michael Gellenbeck of Gellenbeck Construction.  “There is a simple yet profound peace about seeing a dream come through for someone with some difficult circumstances in life. There was a fulfillment in our whole team that touched something deeper than finishing a large commercial project. The team was rewarded many times over with their little sacrifice by seeing Grayson's response to the treehouse coming together. Grayson, we are proud of you, your attitude and your fortitude. We pray for your complete healing. We are humbled and proud to be a part of Grayson's dream! Thank you to Make-A-Wish and Willowbrook.”

“Our part of the project may have been small, but we were honored to contribute to something that meant so much to Grayson and his family,” said Rosie Barnes of Barnes Construction. “It was a privilege to work alongside Willowbrook Construction and Gellenbeck Construction to help bring his wish to life.”

For Grayson's family, watching the treehouse take shape marked the beginning of something new.

"Seeing that treehouse take shape felt like the beginning of a new chapter for our family," Jared said. "The hope Grayson held onto for more than two years was finally standing right in front of him. Without Make-A-Wish and the amazing team, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for giving our family hope, love, joy, and one good treehouse."

Throughout his transplant, Grayson held to one verse:

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 28:7