Five-year-old Reece Michael Thompson of Portsmouth loves toy cars, the Disney Channel and “helping” his mom bake cakes. But Reece’s medical treatments often take precedence over his favorite activities.

Reece has cystic fibrosis, a chronic disease that makes his mucus too thick, impairing his breathing and digestion. He takes breathing treatments, inhaling a mist of three different medications, four times a day. He also dons a special vest that vibrates to loosen the mucus in his lungs four times a day.

Reece Michael Thompson (center) leads the way at the nail driving dedication of the 2007 Homearama Charity House. Joining him are, from left: TBA President John Ainslie Jr., Chesapeake Mayor Dalton Edge, house builder Chip Iuliano, Reece’s grandfather and carpenter Tim Story, Chesapeake City Councilwoman Dr. Ella Ward, Precon Development Vice President Doug Fuller and Chris Beisel of Gateway Bank & Trust Co.

A simple cold can send Reece to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters for weeks at a time. But he never complains, say his mom and dad, Leah and Doug Thompson. “He thinks he’s on vacation when he goes to the hospital,” Leah says. “They treat him like a king there.”

During a hospitalization this spring, Reece got special permission to leave the hospital for a few hours. Still wearing his CHKD identification bracelet, he used a pint-sized hammer to pound in a ceremonial nail at the dedication of the 2007 Homearama Charity House, named the “Reece Michael.” He wasn’t feeling his best, but it’s not every day you have a house named after you.

Reece was the guest “carpenter of honor” at the dedication of the home being built by Past TBA President Chip Iuliano of Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. (Iuliano chose the name because the boy’s grandfather, Tim Story is a carpenter by trade and a long-time employee of Area Builders.) The home will incorporate contributions from suppliers and subcontractors and is sponsored by Precon Development Corp and Gateway Bank & Trust.

The Charity House will be among the 17 showcase Homearama homes – including another built by Iuliano. All proceeds from the Charity House will benefit Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.

Iuliano served as president of TBA in 2004, and built the 1997 Charity House to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Virginia as well as the 2005 Scholarship House to benefit TBA’s Scholarship Foundation. He also chaired the award-winning 1998 and 1999 Homearamas.

A father of four, Iuliano knows the importance of the services offered by CHKD.

“A service like theirs is irreplaceable,” said Iuliano. “To see and know what these kids must go through, it’s a blessing to a parent to know at CHKD their child can receive the best health care and attention around.”

The Charity House will host a special party for children -- Kidarama at Homearama, on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The party will feature face-painting, CHKD’s “Buddy Brigade” pet therapists and mascot Healthy Bear, Finger casting with CHKD’s orthopedic experts, Fun, hands-on activities to teach children about medical care with CHKD’s child life specialists, a lemonade stand and a child car safety seat raffle.

For more information about the Charity House, call Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. at 488-4663 or email at kathryb.abtinc@cox.net or toni.abtinc@cox.net.

The Charity House and the other 16 custom showcase homes will be on display Sept. 29- Oct. 14 in Edinburgh Meadows in Chesapeake. For more information about the event, call 757-420-2434, or visit www.homearama.tv.

Thank you to the following 2007 Charity House contributors whose generosity will make a difference in the lives of CHKD patients:

84 Lumber
Atlantic Railing Inc.
Batchelder & Collins Inc.
Bonney Bright Sand
Carpets by J.C. Law Inc.
Daves Cabinets
Domes Audio Video Evnironments
Dominion Virginia Power
Eagle Bay
Ethan Allen
Factory Direct Kitchen & Bath
Ferguson Kitchen Bath and Lighting Galleries
Frank Betz
Gateway Bank & Trust
Greenbrier Lighting
Hassell & Folkes
Inner Space Systems
International Tile & Marble
Islander Pools
Lumber Liquidators
Mayfiled and Miller Inc.
Miller’s Landscaping Inc.
Precon Development Corp. Inc.
Rock Solid Surfaces
Sears Commercial One
Sherri L. Davis/Arcadia Painting
Sherwin-Williams
Southern Touch L.L.C.
Superior Equipment Sales Inc.
Virginia Door