Last night was a very cool experience! Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is in Columbus again. This time they are in the downtown Columbus neighborhood, American Edition, filming their 2-hour Christmas special with the Rhodes family. I don't know much about their story except that the mom had a benign brain tumor that left her disabled and unable to care for 4 children on her own. She was forced to move in with her parents...their one bedroom, 900 square foot home. The 7 of them lived in the home that has been in their family for nearly 5 generations and is now overcome with termites, years of wear and tear and I am sure some other 'goodies'. The grandpa has worked for Pepsi for over 20 years, they are deacons in their church and active community leaders for the children in their neighborhood. They seemed very humble that they were chosen and grateful for the blessing.
Anyway, EMHE needed volunteers to help out so I went with some friends from church to lend a hand. It was only the first day, so the house was being knocked down and the foundation set. I was hoping to get a little dirty, but there wasn't much for us to do except keep the builders, security and other workers hydrated in the 90*+ heat (Hopefully we will remember how hot it was then, when it is snowing as the show airs in December!!) and help set up the VIP tent.
The rest of the time we got to watch the process up close and personal. The knock down was very 'Hollywood' with 50+ Santas throwing coal and snow machines struggling to produce the fluffy goods in the middle of our record breaking summer. The construction was pretty normal. Not sure what I expected. I never got to actually see Ty or the design team either (they were on a closed set for carpentry and design...which was slightly disappointing) or be on open set while while they were filming, but it was neat to be a part of something much bigger than myself. I have been so blessed in my life so it was sweet to be a {small} part of a blessing for a family who has struggled.
Walking around the neighborhood with my wagon of snacks and drinks it did make me a little sad that the show goes so crazy on one house, for one family when the entire neighborhood could use some blessings. Don't get me wrong, I love what they do, but it seems to me, if they built a more modest house and used the rest of the time and money to update the other houses in the surrounding community the impact would be greater. I guess that doesn't make for dramatic makeover TV though. I will say, to EMHE's credit, they also updated the neighborhood community center which was desperate need and they also feed the residents for those who wanted to take advantage of it. I just think it is weird to think about this beautiful, custom home in the middle of a run down neighborhood sticking out like a sore thumb. It is almost like they are putting a huge, neon sign on the roof that says, "Robb Me!"
Me and Alisha in our hard hats and Christmas themed EMHE Volunteer shirts. I don't understand while they gave the sun-burnt redhead the red shirt...Thanks a lot EMHE! ;)
Even being there, I still don't understand how they get it done. The builder told us from the time the tear down the house to the time they hand off the keys to the designers so they can fill the house it is just 106 hours. Absolutely incredible! I am planning to take the girls back Wednesday afternoon after dance for the family reveal...hopefully we get there early enough to see!! Make sure to watch the episode in December!
