Local Animal Advocate Receives Room Makeover

Michele Williams, the current president of Canine Adoption Network, a dog rescue group, is this year's recipient of the Designing Dreams $20,000 room makeover.

For the past three years, AHT Interiors, a Cumming interior design firm, has presented its Designing Dreams room makeover for a family or charitable group in need.

Designing Dreams, a non-profit philanthropic community initiative, is dedicated to providing beautiful interior environments for those in physical or emotional crisis.

Williams was nominated for the room makeover by her longtime friend Sue Munsen.

Munsen wrote in her nomination letter, "I have never met a more selfless individual."

Williams has been active in pet rescue for many years, having worked with her sister, Cheryl Flanagan, to begin and later serve as a treasurer of Save the Horses, a nonprofit that rescues horses in need.

Williams is also the current president of Canine Adoption Network, a dog rescue group, and with her sister, created an annual event called Animal Rescue Fair to help pet groups across north Georgia.

Williams faced a personal tragedy earlier this year when her husband, Bernie, passed away as a result of complications from an automobile accident in December 2010.

After the accident, he spent three months at North Fulton Hospital in a medically induced coma. He remained in the hospital until April 2011, when he was discharged and sent home with a feeding tube due to lack of insurance coverage.

At that time, Williams had to stop work as a medical transcriptionist to care for him at home. He was later able to receive Medicare and spent many more months in and out of hospital care before his passing.

“Michele lost not only her husband but their combined incomes and now faces a staggering amount of bills," wrote Munsen.

Allison Havill Todd, president AHT Interiors, and creator and founder of Designing Dreams said the selection committee was pleased to select Williams for the award.

“The selection committee agreed that this is certainly someone who didn’t create their circumstances,” she said. “This is something that could happen to anybody … and when you see this, you go, ‘Wow, her whole life was completely turned upside down.’”

Todd said the improvements to Williams' 100-year-old farmhouse will include a couple of spaces.

“We’re going to completely transform her living room and then also turn an adjacent room into a home office for her,” she said, noting that Williams is trying to get back into home medical transcription work.

Williams said she was “overwhelmed, shocked and very surprised” when she learned she had been chosen for the project.

“My friend Sue asked if it would be OK [to nominate me], and I just never thought it would happen,” she said. “So it was very overwhelming and very emotional.”

Williams said she’s always been on the other end of giving, so this is a big chance for her.

“My family and I, you know, I grew up as a giver,” she said. “I volunteer and my parents volunteer, my sister volunteers, you know, we all give. We help our neighbors and stuff, and you never expect it to happen to you.”

Todd said work on the project will begin later this month, with an anticipated completion date before Thanksgiving.

She said while she’s had many businesses offer products and services, there is always room for more assistance.

“I’m always overwhelmed by the support of the local business community,” she said. “Local business support is always welcome … for as little as $25 someone can be listed as a sponsor, so it’s not a big commitment and every little bit really helps.”

The public can also help by attending the Designing Dreams reception fundraiser this week.

The event, at the RBM North-Atlanta Mercedes-Benz dealership on McFarland Parkway in nearby Alpharetta, will be held Thursday, Sept. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m.

“It’s complimentary,” Todd said. “But there’ll be dozens of items for silent auction, from small things to large things, and we’re offering raffle tickets for someone to win a trip to Costa Rica.”

The dealership is also donating a kid's Mercedes-Benz SL red pedal car. Todd said she’s hoping for big crowds at the reception.

“This fundraiser is our big one of the year,” she said. “We really count on that.”

Visit the Designing Dreams website to learn more about the non-profit and how to submit a nomination.

Katie Hamberlin contributed to this article.