We just had Extreme Home Makeover come to our area and it was an awesome experience. I did volunteer, but due to my lack of construction knowledge, I just helped move things and run errands. I give huge kudos to the builders and all the people that actually helped build the house. We had a torrential downpour during the first two days which put them horribly behind schedule, and although it looked like it wasn't going to be done in time for the "reveal", it was - almost. At least enough to film. They had to stay an extra day or two to get all of the filming done. In fact, the family had to stay in a hotel for the first night because the inside wasn't complete. Ours was done basically for the daughter who has raised thousands of dollars for Relay for Like and for a friend who has cancer. The daughter herself is battling a disease that has caused her to have more than seventeen surgeries in her 12 years of life and she hasn't raised a dime for herself!
The family's home was overrun by mold and they didn't have the money to fix it. There were some selfish people in our area who were upset that this family was chosen because both parents had jobs (not extremely high paying jobs, but run of the mill factory jobs). When one adds up costs of treating mold in your house and medical bills, anyone would have problems. I was very greatful that this family was chosen. Were there other people in the area that might have been deserving also? Probably, but ABC does their homework, and I feel it was a good decision. I was just amazed at how selfish some people can be!
The family from our area went to Disney Land. My son is friends with one of the boys in the family and I talked to him about it. He said it was kind of weird having someone with you 24/7. They had to have a chaperone at all times so ABC was sure that the family wasn't in contact with anyone from here. They wanted to be sure the family did not see any pictures beforehand. I can understand that! Who wants to ruin the "reveal"? He wasn't complaining at all, don't get me wrong. Just strange having someone following you around all the time! LOL! The show is to air in January and until then no one can take pictures inside the house - at all! Anyone that comes to the house, has to hand over their cell phones and/or cameras to the parents so they are sure no pictures are taken. That was part of the contract with ABC.
If anyone gets a chance to help out on one of these projects, jump at the chance. It was such an awesome experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
