You’re probably somewhat familiar with the TV show, Extreme Home Makeover but chances are you haven’t heard of it’s local Boston counterpart, Extreme Website Makeover. No, it’s not another cliche show that your parents will force you to watch over Thanksgiving (thank God), but a local story that is making a difference in Massachusetts – and one that all Boston residents should be familiar with.
Boston’s own Extreme Website Makeover was created by a Boston-area website design firm, Metropolis Creative. Since 2009, Metropolis Creative has rewarded one company or organization with a free website makeover. But not just any company or organization. The website design firm gives back to “thinkers, companies and organizations that make a difference.”
And this year’s winner couldn’t be more deserving. The free website design was awarded to The Magical Moon Foundation, a Marshfield camp that empowers children with cancer. In case you’ve never heard of the local South Shore nonprofit, its purpose is to “foster the strength, determination, and pride in children diagnosed with cancer,” according to a press release. While at Marshfield camp, the children “learn how to eat healthy and live healthy, to start meaningful service projects for their community, and support each other through their journeys.”
This year, 40 organizations competed for a free website makeover. Five finalists were chosen by Metropolis Creative based on “need, innovation and originality, business model, social value, and social media interactions,” according to the firm.
The contest judges from Google, LogMeIn, Constant Contact, The Community Roundtable and MMB, all selected The Magical Moon Foundation as the winner. The foundation will receive a total website makeover, complete with “a fully coded content-managed website with responsive layouts for tablets and mobile devices; social media community designs (e.g. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube); and search optimization (SEO) for the new site,” all according to the design firm.
The face behind this phenomenal service is Metropolis Creative founder, Michael Flint. The founder, who has won numerous design awards, is also a current instructor at Northeastern University. Flint shared with us why exactly The Magical Moon Foundation was chosen and the impact this new, refreshed website would have on the nonprofit. Here’s what he had to say.
Marian White: Why was The Magical Moon Foundation chosen as the winner?
Michael Flint: We chose Magical Moon not because we thought their website was ugly. It was actually one of the nicer ones that entered, but because we thought she (Donna Green, Executive Director of The Magical Moon Foundation) needed some messaging help. Initially we thought it was a camp for kids with cancer where they can dress up as knights, but learned (after some digging) that it was so much more.
Magical Moon builds strength, determination, and pride in children diagnosed with cancer. They help children learn how to eat and live healthy, to start meaningful service projects on their own, and support each other. Donna Green has opened her farm and her heart to these children and their families as they struggle through all stages of cancer and beyond.
MW: What impact do you think this new website will have on the nonprofit?
MF: The new website design will help people understand who they are and show them the wider scope of their projects and accomplishments. It will also focus on their knights – the children who benefit from all of this. By clearly showing the benefits of the foundation, and clearly asking for what they need, the new website design will be a huge help for The Magical Moon achieve their donation goals.
Check out the slideshow below to see pictures of the new website design as well as pictures of The Magical Moon Foundation camp.
