Posted: Friday, October 23, 2009 5:45 pm | Updated: 7:03 pm, Fri Oct 23, 2009.
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
BUNKER HILL -- Maconaquah School Corp. is helping out "Extreme Makeover" any way it can, from food to buses.
On Friday, a busload of students from the district arrived at the "Extreme Makeover" site to donate nearly 5,000 pounds of cans of food to help Miami County food banks.
Originally, the cans were for United Way's "Make a Difference Day," but when "Extreme Makeover" came the district chose to give to the Miami County food banks through "Extreme Makeover," said Debra Jones, superintendent of Maconaquah School Corp.
The cans donated will benefit the Salvation Army and Helping Hands food banks.
Also on Friday, the district was called to assist the volunteers and spectators in getting to the build site, because the nearly 2 inches of rain last night turned the field parking area into a muddy mess.
On Monday, Patrick Thompson of "Extreme Makeover" met with Maconaquah Schools and asked if the school could help by transporting in volunteers and spectators in case it would rain, said James Callane, assistant superintendent.
"We had a bus driver meeting and about all of them volunteered to help," he said. "So we've got a shift running three buses, one 24-7, and two of them 8 to 8. We started today and we are going to run through the weekend and see what happens. It's been pretty cool."
The buses are picking up the volunteers and spectators at 2075 Hoosier Boulevard within the Grissom Aeroplex, near the main gate.
On Saturday, the charity auction will also be near the parking area located in Hanger 200 at 2 p.m.
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/local_news/article_858af8b6-c01d-11de-833c-001cc4c002e0.html
Thursday, June 10, 2010
'Extreme Makeover' charity auction moves to Grissom Aeroplex Saturday
Posted: Friday, October 23, 2009 3:45 pm | Updated: 7:35 pm, Fri Oct 23, 2009.
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
BUNKER HILL -- With nearly two inches of rain Thursday night into Friday morning with the possibility of more, Hallmark Homes has planned to move the charity auction from the "Extreme Makeover" site.
Instead of being in the field across from the home, the auction will be held at Hanger 200 in the Grissom Aeroplex at 2075 Hoosier Boulevard, which is near the main gate.
Check-in to register for bidding will be at 1 p.m., said Paul Schwinghammer, Hallmark Homes president. The auction is planned to begin at 2 p.m., or a little later, he said.
"We are looking for new products of any kind or any antiques," he said. "Anything that would sell good at an auction."
The design team is also participating in the auction to benefit the Cowan-Brown family.
"There will be autographed items signed by the design team, hard hats and t-shirts signed by the design team," he said. "We will also have some special products that the design team has been working on for Kori (Brown)'s fundraising efforts. It's going be a team effort between everybody including the design team to try to raise money for both Kori's fund and for the family."
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_c5683568-c00c-11de-93e3-001cc4c002e0.html
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
BUNKER HILL -- With nearly two inches of rain Thursday night into Friday morning with the possibility of more, Hallmark Homes has planned to move the charity auction from the "Extreme Makeover" site.
Instead of being in the field across from the home, the auction will be held at Hanger 200 in the Grissom Aeroplex at 2075 Hoosier Boulevard, which is near the main gate.
Check-in to register for bidding will be at 1 p.m., said Paul Schwinghammer, Hallmark Homes president. The auction is planned to begin at 2 p.m., or a little later, he said.
"We are looking for new products of any kind or any antiques," he said. "Anything that would sell good at an auction."
The design team is also participating in the auction to benefit the Cowan-Brown family.
"There will be autographed items signed by the design team, hard hats and t-shirts signed by the design team," he said. "We will also have some special products that the design team has been working on for Kori (Brown)'s fundraising efforts. It's going be a team effort between everybody including the design team to try to raise money for both Kori's fund and for the family."
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_c5683568-c00c-11de-93e3-001cc4c002e0.html
Family, neighbors had idea that 'Extreme Makeover' may come
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 8:40 pm | Updated: 10:07 am, Fri Oct 23, 2009.
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 1 comment
BUNKER HILL - Relatives and neighbors of the Cowan-Brown family had some idea that their country road was about to change.
Twelve-year-old Kori Brown did her part by raising thousands of dollars to the American Cancer Society, but the home she lived in was over-run by mold and it was making her sick, not to mention, the rest of her family.
Thursday marked the end of a barn-turned-home decades ago.
"Hopefully, it's a whole lot healthier for them," said Phil Cowan, the father of homeowner Andy Cowan. "They bought the house about seven years ago. In the next year, or so, they discovered mold in it."
The mold got Kori sicker and sicker, he said.
"We began taking walls out, taking flooring out, rebuilding putting all new studs in and new sub-floor in and a couple years later the mold would be back," he said. "We worked on the outside of it and took the siding and stone off of it and put in all new siding, and still a couple years after we'd repaired it, mold would come back."
Phil Cowan said the family built a new south addition onto the house about three years ago and it included a kitchen and two bedrooms.
"That's basically where they lived because of the mold in the rest of the house," he said.
For a house that had so much mold, it was not likely that the family could have sold it, he said.
Then yesterday came with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" arriving.
"At 2:00, I came down and I was able to say 15 words to (Andy) before they wisked him off to do interviews and I wont see or hear from him until Tuesday," he said.
Andy Cowan's brother is also watching the construction of the custom-built home from Hallmark Homes.
"This is absolutely incredible," Todd Cowan said. "This proves that there are still good people out there who want to help."
Linda Hall is a neighbor who lives just down the road.
"They kind of told us it was in the works, but they really couldn't tell us much," she said. "We knew yesterday was to be the big day. I got up a little before 8 and I saw some cop cars running down here and I saw a guy down the road just a little ways with a camera. And, I thought, 'oh, it is going to this house then.'"
Last summer Hall was involved in an accident and the Cowan-Brown family cheered her up by fixing her food, she said. Mason also made her a card and put all the family members on it and brought it down, she said.
"I just think it's all great," she said. "I think it's wonderful what they are getting done for them and they are deserving of it. I don't even mind the noise at all. It's just going to be awful boring after they all leave."
Danny Feller lives directly next door to the Cowan-Brown family, so he is right in the middle of it all.
"I thought (the noise) may have bothered me last night, but it wasn't bad," he said. "I usually run a fan anyway."
Feller's grandchildren came to watch the demolition of the home Thursday.
"They were really excited when the house came down, of course," he said. "And now, they're bored."
Feller said that the Cowan-Brown family parked a travel trailer in their back yard this summer because the mold had gotten so bad in the house.
"They slept in the camper so they could have the air on, because they couldn't run the heating and cooling in the house because it was full of mold."
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_0c7285f8-bf6d-11de-93d9-001cc4c002e0.html
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 1 comment
BUNKER HILL - Relatives and neighbors of the Cowan-Brown family had some idea that their country road was about to change.
Twelve-year-old Kori Brown did her part by raising thousands of dollars to the American Cancer Society, but the home she lived in was over-run by mold and it was making her sick, not to mention, the rest of her family.
Thursday marked the end of a barn-turned-home decades ago.
"Hopefully, it's a whole lot healthier for them," said Phil Cowan, the father of homeowner Andy Cowan. "They bought the house about seven years ago. In the next year, or so, they discovered mold in it."
The mold got Kori sicker and sicker, he said.
"We began taking walls out, taking flooring out, rebuilding putting all new studs in and new sub-floor in and a couple years later the mold would be back," he said. "We worked on the outside of it and took the siding and stone off of it and put in all new siding, and still a couple years after we'd repaired it, mold would come back."
Phil Cowan said the family built a new south addition onto the house about three years ago and it included a kitchen and two bedrooms.
"That's basically where they lived because of the mold in the rest of the house," he said.
For a house that had so much mold, it was not likely that the family could have sold it, he said.
Then yesterday came with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" arriving.
"At 2:00, I came down and I was able to say 15 words to (Andy) before they wisked him off to do interviews and I wont see or hear from him until Tuesday," he said.
Andy Cowan's brother is also watching the construction of the custom-built home from Hallmark Homes.
"This is absolutely incredible," Todd Cowan said. "This proves that there are still good people out there who want to help."
Linda Hall is a neighbor who lives just down the road.
"They kind of told us it was in the works, but they really couldn't tell us much," she said. "We knew yesterday was to be the big day. I got up a little before 8 and I saw some cop cars running down here and I saw a guy down the road just a little ways with a camera. And, I thought, 'oh, it is going to this house then.'"
Last summer Hall was involved in an accident and the Cowan-Brown family cheered her up by fixing her food, she said. Mason also made her a card and put all the family members on it and brought it down, she said.
"I just think it's all great," she said. "I think it's wonderful what they are getting done for them and they are deserving of it. I don't even mind the noise at all. It's just going to be awful boring after they all leave."
Danny Feller lives directly next door to the Cowan-Brown family, so he is right in the middle of it all.
"I thought (the noise) may have bothered me last night, but it wasn't bad," he said. "I usually run a fan anyway."
Feller's grandchildren came to watch the demolition of the home Thursday.
"They were really excited when the house came down, of course," he said. "And now, they're bored."
Feller said that the Cowan-Brown family parked a travel trailer in their back yard this summer because the mold had gotten so bad in the house.
"They slept in the camper so they could have the air on, because they couldn't run the heating and cooling in the house because it was full of mold."
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_0c7285f8-bf6d-11de-93d9-001cc4c002e0.html
'Extreme Makeover' demolishes home, Hallmark Homes begins 106-hour countdown
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:55 pm | Updated: 9:45 pm, Thu Oct 22, 2009.
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
BUNKER HILL -- Just after 11:00 a.m. Thursday, a home that has stood its ground for decades was only a cloud of dust with tons of debris. It was a site one may see after a direct hit from a tornado, but it was not.
Thursday marked an end to an era for the current Cowan-Brown family home. It was demolition day for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and the custom builder, Hallmark Homes.
The crowd of hundreds of volunteers stood in front of the home and cheered as two excavators destroyed the home in a matter of minutes.
Now that the home is gone, the 106-hour clock is officially ticking. As for what the home will look like, that is still uncertain at this time. But, Hallmark Homes president Paul Schwinghammer says the family only wants a house where they can live.
"Their main focus was they wanted a nice house that they can breathe in and live in," Schwinghammer said. "They really weren't concerned about any special amenities other than a nice, basic house."
After weeks of planning, he says the hard part of preparing is over and it is just a matter of execution.
One thing that makes this project very different from previous ones is that this time there is a camera.
"A lot of it is hurry up and wait, because we are having to wait on cameras and we're having to wait on personalities to take and re-take and shoot different scenes," he said. "We have been warned of the process. They'll come and stop us when we need to stop. They'll let us go when we need to go."
Even with the camera on them, he says the time should not be of any issue.
"It's all built in, so there shouldn't be too many difficulties," he said.
As for the goals for Thursday night, Hallmark Homes CEO Derek Wilder said they are trying to get the footer dug.
"The main goal, depending on the rain, is to be framing on it tomorrow," he said. "Sometime tomorrow if we can start framing, I think we would be on track."
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_2e7d4e2c-bf67-11de-9ad5-001cc4c002e0.html
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
BUNKER HILL -- Just after 11:00 a.m. Thursday, a home that has stood its ground for decades was only a cloud of dust with tons of debris. It was a site one may see after a direct hit from a tornado, but it was not.
Thursday marked an end to an era for the current Cowan-Brown family home. It was demolition day for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and the custom builder, Hallmark Homes.
The crowd of hundreds of volunteers stood in front of the home and cheered as two excavators destroyed the home in a matter of minutes.
Now that the home is gone, the 106-hour clock is officially ticking. As for what the home will look like, that is still uncertain at this time. But, Hallmark Homes president Paul Schwinghammer says the family only wants a house where they can live.
"Their main focus was they wanted a nice house that they can breathe in and live in," Schwinghammer said. "They really weren't concerned about any special amenities other than a nice, basic house."
After weeks of planning, he says the hard part of preparing is over and it is just a matter of execution.
One thing that makes this project very different from previous ones is that this time there is a camera.
"A lot of it is hurry up and wait, because we are having to wait on cameras and we're having to wait on personalities to take and re-take and shoot different scenes," he said. "We have been warned of the process. They'll come and stop us when we need to stop. They'll let us go when we need to go."
Even with the camera on them, he says the time should not be of any issue.
"It's all built in, so there shouldn't be too many difficulties," he said.
As for the goals for Thursday night, Hallmark Homes CEO Derek Wilder said they are trying to get the footer dug.
"The main goal, depending on the rain, is to be framing on it tomorrow," he said. "Sometime tomorrow if we can start framing, I think we would be on track."
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_2e7d4e2c-bf67-11de-9ad5-001cc4c002e0.html
'Extreme' family to be complete again after 'makeover'
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:00 pm | Updated: 9:31 pm, Wed Oct 21, 2009.
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
BUNKER HILL -- The guessing is over. ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has chosen a family who are truly deserving of a gift.
Just after 8 a.m., the famous bus arrived via heavy police escort from many area agencies at the home of the Cowan-Brown family, near Bunker Hill.
The show's host Ty Pennington then came to the front door for the door knock and his loud welcome with his megaphone.
"There was falling down the stairs," said Heather Cowan, the mother, at the press conference. "It was probably not the most graceful exit our family has ever had, but again it was very unreal. It still has not sunk in. It's like a dream."
The family also includes her husband, Andy, and children who are Mason Cowan, 8; Kori Brown, 12; Trevor Brown, 13; and Ryan Brown, 16.
"Extreme Makover: Home Edition" looks for heroes, people who give back, inspire their community and make a difference, said executive producer Conrad Rickets last week. This episode's hero is Kori Brown.
Brown was diagnosed with a blood disease six years ago and while she was receiving treatment she became friends with Alyssa Lewandowski, a Noblesville girl who was being treated for leukemia. Brown later heard an advertisement for American Cancer Society's Relay for Life about helping to find a cure for cancer. She then decided that she was going to help.
"I have raised over $38,000 for the American Cancer Society by basically just going door-to-door selling things and we had auctions before," Brown said. "We did the work because of my friend Alyssa, she has cancer, but she is in remission now."
This young girl is out helping people who she has never met by supporting this cause. The problem is that the house she lives in that was originally a barn is over-run by mold. Kori is allergic to mold. The family first found the mold five years ago, they said, and it has gotten so bad in the past two years that not all the members of the family were able to stay together.
"My children have been farmed out to other places to live because it's too bad of a house," Heather Cowan said. "You're literally going to put our family back together again."
The arrival of the show brought the first day of filming. Volunteers walked over and over again to get the "Braveheart march" just right. And, the family left and returned, and left again multiple times in a white Ford Excursion limousine.
The family is now on their way to Disneyland for a week, with all expenses paid. As for missing a week of school, she says Macanoquah is a great school.
"It's just very overwhelming and I know it hasn't hit yet," she said. "I'm kind of numb right now, but I just hope that you understand that you guys have saved our family. It's not just about the house. This is a lot bigger than the house. I am a little jealous because I think it would be very fun to stay here and watch it."
Demolition of the family's home will be at about 10 a.m. Thursday. When the house is destroyed the 106-hour clock to complete the project will begin. The thousands of volunteers will work non-stop until it is finished.
During this season, the show will also feature a celebrity. Rapper Xzibit, and host of MTV's "Pimp My Ride," will be helping out during the week at the site.
The first day of taping also drew Peru's mayor to the event.
"I think what this shows for the people who will be watching what kind of a community we have here," Mayor Jim Walker said.
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_6a0888ec-bea1-11de-910a-001cc4c03286.html
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
BUNKER HILL -- The guessing is over. ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has chosen a family who are truly deserving of a gift.
Just after 8 a.m., the famous bus arrived via heavy police escort from many area agencies at the home of the Cowan-Brown family, near Bunker Hill.
The show's host Ty Pennington then came to the front door for the door knock and his loud welcome with his megaphone.
"There was falling down the stairs," said Heather Cowan, the mother, at the press conference. "It was probably not the most graceful exit our family has ever had, but again it was very unreal. It still has not sunk in. It's like a dream."
The family also includes her husband, Andy, and children who are Mason Cowan, 8; Kori Brown, 12; Trevor Brown, 13; and Ryan Brown, 16.
"Extreme Makover: Home Edition" looks for heroes, people who give back, inspire their community and make a difference, said executive producer Conrad Rickets last week. This episode's hero is Kori Brown.
Brown was diagnosed with a blood disease six years ago and while she was receiving treatment she became friends with Alyssa Lewandowski, a Noblesville girl who was being treated for leukemia. Brown later heard an advertisement for American Cancer Society's Relay for Life about helping to find a cure for cancer. She then decided that she was going to help.
"I have raised over $38,000 for the American Cancer Society by basically just going door-to-door selling things and we had auctions before," Brown said. "We did the work because of my friend Alyssa, she has cancer, but she is in remission now."
This young girl is out helping people who she has never met by supporting this cause. The problem is that the house she lives in that was originally a barn is over-run by mold. Kori is allergic to mold. The family first found the mold five years ago, they said, and it has gotten so bad in the past two years that not all the members of the family were able to stay together.
"My children have been farmed out to other places to live because it's too bad of a house," Heather Cowan said. "You're literally going to put our family back together again."
The arrival of the show brought the first day of filming. Volunteers walked over and over again to get the "Braveheart march" just right. And, the family left and returned, and left again multiple times in a white Ford Excursion limousine.
The family is now on their way to Disneyland for a week, with all expenses paid. As for missing a week of school, she says Macanoquah is a great school.
"It's just very overwhelming and I know it hasn't hit yet," she said. "I'm kind of numb right now, but I just hope that you understand that you guys have saved our family. It's not just about the house. This is a lot bigger than the house. I am a little jealous because I think it would be very fun to stay here and watch it."
Demolition of the family's home will be at about 10 a.m. Thursday. When the house is destroyed the 106-hour clock to complete the project will begin. The thousands of volunteers will work non-stop until it is finished.
During this season, the show will also feature a celebrity. Rapper Xzibit, and host of MTV's "Pimp My Ride," will be helping out during the week at the site.
The first day of taping also drew Peru's mayor to the event.
"I think what this shows for the people who will be watching what kind of a community we have here," Mayor Jim Walker said.
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_6a0888ec-bea1-11de-910a-001cc4c03286.html
Local organizations urge people to prepare in case of a fire
Posted: Friday, October 16, 2009 4:00 pm | Updated: 4:12 pm, Fri Oct 16, 2009.
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
With winter on its way, many people will be using more electricity and gas in their homes. October is the perfect time for people to become more aware of how to prevent a fire, especially when fire causes more deaths than any other disaster, according to the American Red Cross.
The American Red Cross North Central Indiana Chapter, Fire & Flood Recovery and the Kokomo Fire Department participated in a fire prevention month event Friday afternoon in front of Wal-Mart.
"I don't think there are enough people out there who really understand that the month of October is fire prevention month and so what people can do to make precautions and so basically that is our main goal," said Hattie Grimes, marketing director for Fire & Flood Recovery.
In preparation for the cold, winter months where there is more electricity going through the home, as well as furnaces are beginning to be turned on for the first time, the three groups are trying to inform people on how to prepare in case of a fire.
"We had some people asking us, 'Why would you want to have the fire department, the Red Cross and the Fire & Flood Prevention, what are you all doing here?'" said Aimee Macaluso, Fire & Flood Recovery customer service representative product manager. "We're like, 'Well, you know we want to educate people so that there aren't fires. We don't want fires. Yes, it makes our business profitable, but if we educate people on not to have fires then if something does happen, they might remember our name."
Representatives from the three groups informed people by handing out pamphlets and answering questions about fire prevention.
The American Red Cross suggests ways on how to prepare for a fire:
-Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
-Test the smoke alarm once a month and replace all batteries at least once a year.
-Replace smoke alarms every ten years.
-Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department on how to use them.
-Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
-Select a location outside where everyone would meet after escaping.
-Once out of the home, stay out. Call the fire department.
-If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a phone, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/local_news/article_200e26cc-ba8f-11de-a1f0-001cc4c03286.html
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
With winter on its way, many people will be using more electricity and gas in their homes. October is the perfect time for people to become more aware of how to prevent a fire, especially when fire causes more deaths than any other disaster, according to the American Red Cross.
The American Red Cross North Central Indiana Chapter, Fire & Flood Recovery and the Kokomo Fire Department participated in a fire prevention month event Friday afternoon in front of Wal-Mart.
"I don't think there are enough people out there who really understand that the month of October is fire prevention month and so what people can do to make precautions and so basically that is our main goal," said Hattie Grimes, marketing director for Fire & Flood Recovery.
In preparation for the cold, winter months where there is more electricity going through the home, as well as furnaces are beginning to be turned on for the first time, the three groups are trying to inform people on how to prepare in case of a fire.
"We had some people asking us, 'Why would you want to have the fire department, the Red Cross and the Fire & Flood Prevention, what are you all doing here?'" said Aimee Macaluso, Fire & Flood Recovery customer service representative product manager. "We're like, 'Well, you know we want to educate people so that there aren't fires. We don't want fires. Yes, it makes our business profitable, but if we educate people on not to have fires then if something does happen, they might remember our name."
Representatives from the three groups informed people by handing out pamphlets and answering questions about fire prevention.
The American Red Cross suggests ways on how to prepare for a fire:
-Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
-Test the smoke alarm once a month and replace all batteries at least once a year.
-Replace smoke alarms every ten years.
-Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department on how to use them.
-Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
-Select a location outside where everyone would meet after escaping.
-Once out of the home, stay out. Call the fire department.
-If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a phone, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/local_news/article_200e26cc-ba8f-11de-a1f0-001cc4c03286.html
Volunteers fill Oakbrook Church for 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' pep rally
Posted: Friday, October 16, 2009 12:20 pm | Updated: 11:29 am, Wed Oct 21, 2009.
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
The clock is ticking closer to ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" fulfilling a deserving Kokomo-area family's dream of a new home.
Nearly a thousand people packed the auditorium at Oakbrook Community Church Friday morning for a pep rally to motivate the volunteers prior to the television show arriving on Wednesday.
Along with Hallmark Homes, the custom-home builders for the project, contractors and various volunteers was the television show's executive producer Conrad Rickets who came to the event.
"I think this was great," said Paul Schwinghammer, the president of Hallmark Homes. "I thought it was good for Conrad flying in just for this event. We were honored to have him here and I thought it was a great turnout for a Friday work day for people and everybody is excited and some people are coming in from out of state."
Rickets has been involved with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" since its beginning seven years ago.
"What we are looking for are heroes," Rickets said. "People, who give back, inspire their community and make a difference."
Since the show's start to now, the community involvement has gotten so large, he said.
"It started off with a couple hundred people coming out to help," he said. "Now it's somewhere between 5,000 and 6,000 people that are coming out to help. I think what this show does is it reminds everyone the greatness of our nation."
In good times and not-so-good times people continue to volunteer their time helping a deserving family, he said.
"We find ourselves especially in these economic times that things are out of control and that we have no control of our life anymore," he said. "I think the reason why we have so many people show up is in that moment they realize that they do have control, they can make a difference and those are powerful, powerful things for us as a nation and for us as individuals."
Even with the outpouring of volunteers for next week's event, there are still some holes that need to be filled. The home is in need for interior furnishings, some electrical supplies and some more sod, Schwinghammer said.
With Friday's pep rally over, the next step in the process will be arrival of the show's host Ty Pennington to the lucky family's home on Wednesday.
"We have a countdown clock on our Web site that's making me a little nervous," he said. "Now we are four and a half days away until the door knock and then it starts the next day."
Hundreds of people have already signed-up as a volunteer, but if anyone wants to still volunteer they can go online to hallmarkextreme.com, Hallmark Homes CEO Derek Wilder said.
Events coming up at the chosen home site are:
On Wednesday, the actual address and map to the house will be present on the Web site, hallmarkextreme.com.
During the week of the build, there will be a food bank drive at the build site to benefit local food pantries.
At 2 p.m. on Oct. 24, there will be a charity auction and all of the proceeds will benefit the family.
From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 25, will be Family Day. There will be a live circus, with food and activities for all ages.
Also on Oct. 25, there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the site. All who donate blood will receive a free Mike's Express Car Wash (first 500) and a commemorative T-shirt.
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_ba1ba268-ba70-11de-a007-001cc4c03286.html
By Peter Adelsen Perspective staff writer padelsen@kokomoperspective.com | 0 comments
The clock is ticking closer to ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" fulfilling a deserving Kokomo-area family's dream of a new home.
Nearly a thousand people packed the auditorium at Oakbrook Community Church Friday morning for a pep rally to motivate the volunteers prior to the television show arriving on Wednesday.
Along with Hallmark Homes, the custom-home builders for the project, contractors and various volunteers was the television show's executive producer Conrad Rickets who came to the event.
"I think this was great," said Paul Schwinghammer, the president of Hallmark Homes. "I thought it was good for Conrad flying in just for this event. We were honored to have him here and I thought it was a great turnout for a Friday work day for people and everybody is excited and some people are coming in from out of state."
Rickets has been involved with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" since its beginning seven years ago.
"What we are looking for are heroes," Rickets said. "People, who give back, inspire their community and make a difference."
Since the show's start to now, the community involvement has gotten so large, he said.
"It started off with a couple hundred people coming out to help," he said. "Now it's somewhere between 5,000 and 6,000 people that are coming out to help. I think what this show does is it reminds everyone the greatness of our nation."
In good times and not-so-good times people continue to volunteer their time helping a deserving family, he said.
"We find ourselves especially in these economic times that things are out of control and that we have no control of our life anymore," he said. "I think the reason why we have so many people show up is in that moment they realize that they do have control, they can make a difference and those are powerful, powerful things for us as a nation and for us as individuals."
Even with the outpouring of volunteers for next week's event, there are still some holes that need to be filled. The home is in need for interior furnishings, some electrical supplies and some more sod, Schwinghammer said.
With Friday's pep rally over, the next step in the process will be arrival of the show's host Ty Pennington to the lucky family's home on Wednesday.
"We have a countdown clock on our Web site that's making me a little nervous," he said. "Now we are four and a half days away until the door knock and then it starts the next day."
Hundreds of people have already signed-up as a volunteer, but if anyone wants to still volunteer they can go online to hallmarkextreme.com, Hallmark Homes CEO Derek Wilder said.
Events coming up at the chosen home site are:
On Wednesday, the actual address and map to the house will be present on the Web site, hallmarkextreme.com.
During the week of the build, there will be a food bank drive at the build site to benefit local food pantries.
At 2 p.m. on Oct. 24, there will be a charity auction and all of the proceeds will benefit the family.
From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 25, will be Family Day. There will be a live circus, with food and activities for all ages.
Also on Oct. 25, there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the site. All who donate blood will receive a free Mike's Express Car Wash (first 500) and a commemorative T-shirt.
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/article_ba1ba268-ba70-11de-a007-001cc4c03286.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)