Designing Spaces With: Merryl Alpert

Thank you so much for taking time for this interview! Before we dig in, our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?  

I grew up in the hospitality industry in New York. Creating memorable vacations at our resort and seeing our restaurant patrons leave happy after a delicious meal marked the start of my career. Always surrounded by food, and understanding its impact on health, I decided to become a dietitian. Utilizing my degree, I transitioned from running patient food service to educating patients on proper diets, eventually finding my way to BrandStar Entertainment (the parent company of “Designing Spaces”). BrandStar has given me the opportunity and platform to help educate people nationwide about healthy eating and wellness.

Congratulations on your work with Camp Boggy Creek. Can you tell us more about “Camp Boggy Creek” and what it means to you?   

“Designing Spaces” is our award-winning national home and home improvement show that airs on Lifetime. Several times a year, we produce ‘Designing Spaces of Hope,’ where a story, a family, or an organization catches our attention, and we realize we can help. This is our mission. Care Camps, which has locations across the country, provides support to children with serious illnesses, some of whom may not survive to adulthood. One such location is Camp Boggy Creek in Florida. Participating in projects that allow kids to be kids and momentarily forget their challenges is our purpose. The gratitude and smiles of the children and their families are what drive us.

Can you share the most interesting story that has happened to you since you started working in the entertainment industry and/or doing such amazing humanitarian work?

I have worked on several projects similar to this, and each one has been uniquely meaningful. From helping military veterans through a project called “Oscar Mike” to supporting a family with a child born with a rare disease who won’t live past 15 years old, every experience has been special. Another impactful multi-part series involved renovating a home for women rescued from human trafficking.

What is next for you, what are you working on?

I am in the process of exploring different topics – a few being bringing awareness and helping abused and homeless animals.

Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I think my dad.  He was so special to me and still is.  I tied together food and health when he was diagnosed with diabetes at a relatively young age which led me into the world of nutrition.   

From your experience, what are a few ideas that we can use to effectively offer support to others who want to work in the entertainment industry and support Camp Boggy Creek?

Anyone and everyone can always do their part by volunteering, donating time and/or dollars, help people and families you see are in need – maybe just to have a friend and someone to talk to.  

Can you please give us your favorite ”Life Lesson Quote?” Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Oscar Wilde: Be yourself – everyone else is already taken.

How can our readers follow you online and help Camp Boggy Creek?

Healing happens, because of caring people who can offer support. If you’d like to volunteer at a camp or donate to provide life-changing experiences for children with serious medical illnesses, visit Care Camps or Boggy Creek’s official websites.