ABC EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER SAVANNAH

ABC'S EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER

Comes to Savannah, Georgia

When we got home from our vacation ABC's "Extreme Home Makeover" along with Ty Pennington were in town.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ty_Pennington.jpg#file

Savannah was abuzz with excitement.

Being the busybody that I am and a longtime fan of

Ty Pennington, I grabbed a friend and off we went.

ABC was sponsoring the build along with 

J. T. Turner Construction

 and scores of tradesmen, vendors and volunteers 

from our beautiful city.

These wonderful people were donating time, materials and expertise to create a miracle for

The Savannah family of Carmen and Jim Simpson

and their three children.  Son 

Zoë has special needs.

Zoë was born prematurely with a usually deadly condition as well as detached retinas that guaranteed blindness, according to "Extreme Makeover." His doctors told the Simpons he might live 24 hours and if he did survive he would never be able to breathe on his own, see or walk. Zoë beat the prognoses again and again as his eyes healed and his lungs began to work on their own. He is still somewhat developmentally delayed, said the ABC show. 

The Simpsons, who moved to Savannah so Zoë would be closer to his doctors, need a home that more fully accommodates their son’s medical needs, according to "Extreme Makeover."

Text in red taken from Savannah Morning News November 12, 2010

My friend and I headed for Abercorn Street.

This is one of the principle and most well known

thoroughfares in town. We get close but the streets are blocked. After a few turns a kindly patrolman, at one of the roadblocks, tells how to get to the viewing area.

This is the main corridor into the city

Strange to see it blocked off. This has to be a big deal!

Security directed us quickly. They thought we were THE designers!

The approach

VIP Tent! I see they are expecting us.

OOPS!  "Young ladies you will need to find another place to stand."

WELL!  At least they called us "young ladies".

This is a good spot. 

Wow, look at all the blue shirted volunteers!

I have never seen so much equipment and so many people working in one small area!

Everyone is measuring and cutting something.I have power tool envy.

Equipment everywhere

This green staircase was the most interesting thing here.

Notice that it IS a staircase and not a ladder. Workmen can go up and down, passing each other, carrying tools, materials and plans as one would on an inside staircase.

Look at this green staircase

So many innovative methods to make the build go faster.
Love the staircase idea. I just kept raving about it.

That wall of siding went from the ground to finish while we were standing there.

This wing is the therapy room. A small pool in going into the backyard
just behind this wing.

Volunteers are everywhere. They are playing gopher, cleaning up, bringing and serving food. Local restaurants are providing food.

The news media from all local networks is here.

It was a thrill for me to see how the show operates and to see my townspeople at their best.

During these builds ABC's Extreme Home Makeover allows the community to use the event to raise funds for local charities as well.

As we were leaving we ran across this.

RUBY'S PINK FIRE TRUCK from

PINK HEALS.

CLICK HERE and HERE

to learn about the trucks that tour the nation and the 

PINK HEALS ORGANIZATION"S

efforts to help breast cancer victims and to promote awareness. 

Ruby Gail Frenkel Perlman 

was a breast cancer victim.

Her family purchased and donated this truck to honor their loved one and to help raise funds for PINK HEALS.

Additionally, the local Ronald McDonald is sponsoring the premier in order to raise funds for their cause.

I never realized the show helped generate so much help for local charities. Bless them and their efforts.

This was quite a thrill for me to see this show in operation. The reveal to the family was advertised and televised live on local tv. I watched it on tv but didn't feel like standing the hours awaiting the reveal. 

The house is an absolute wonder. The family is so appreciative. This show will air next Sunday night, January 16th. 

No, I don't work for the tv network but wanted to share my view of the event.

On item of note: One of the contractors buried

a Bible in the floor of 

Zoë's therapy room.

He said he wanted the house to built on

"The Word of God"

We were advised not to reveal the finished street view ahead of the show airing but it is beautiful.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit.

I am linking to:
Metamorphosis Monday @BNOTP
Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
Hodgepodge Friday @it's a hodgepodge Life
Inspiration Friday @Southern in My Heart
Beverly's Pink Saturday@How sweet the Sound