Friends, Family, Neighbors Build A Bird Garden For Alex

Kari Williams understands how hard it is to know what to do for someone affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Williams was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. Her friend, Gaby Burdo, was an "unbelievable" source of support.

Now Williams -- with the help of dozens of neighbors, friends, and family members -- is repaying the favor.

Burdo's son, Alex, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma about five years ago. The 16-year-old is an avid birder and his cancer could prevent him from doing his hobby.

So, in order to help Alex continue birding, Williams and more than 60
others are brining the birds to him.

The volunteers worked last weekend to build a bird garden in the Burdo's backyard while Alex and his parents were at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital in New York. Alex underwent his seventh surgery last week.

The garden was unveiled to Alex when he returned home to recover.

Patch stopped at the Burdo's home Friday to chat with some of the volunteers, including Alex's grandfather, James Oricco.

"To me, it's magical that all these people come together all of a sudden to do this."

The volunteers raised over $6,000 to buy the equipment and plants for the bird garden, plus supplied to surprise Gabby Burdo with an organic vegetable garden.

One of Alex's former teachers dug up perennials from her home garden to decorate the new bird garden. Classmates, friends, and neighbors were on hand to help plant and create the garden.

Members of the Audobon Society -- to whom Alex is no stranger -- recommended the types of plants for the garden and supervised the cleaning and preparation of bird feeders.

Local businesses in vendors helped out, too. Renata Singh of Artistic Iron Works in Norwalk donated the wrought iron for the garden's lattice screen. Landscaper Tim McCall donated his time and tools to get the job done.

"This will make Alex happy," Oricco said of the effort. "We're just thrilled."

Alex's former babysitter Katie Werner was equally impressed.

"It's pretty phenomenal. So many people just don't know how to help or what to do," she said.

But in the Burdo's case, "Alex's parents are so grateful and touched by the amount of people involved. This was the perfect, perfect idea."