Monday, January 10, 2011

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.
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.
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.




















































22 comments:

Savannah Granny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Savannah Granny said...

I can't even leave a comment correctly. I was trying to apologize for the large spaces in this post. Everything looked fine in the draft. Any ideas or suggestions out there as to the cause. LOL!! I know it was me. Just what did I do?

Anonymous said...

Granny Ginger, This is just too amazing!!!!
WOW!...Ty Pennington is such a great guy! And his team really care about people, this is wonderful. You could even join in on
"Blue Monday's" with all those pretty blue shirts....
I wish I couls of been there too!

Jo
LazyonLoblolly

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

lovely pink truck.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

blue shirts are cool in summer when they work under the baking sun.

SmilingSally said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
The Quintessential Magpie said...

What an inspiring post, Ginger! I loved every picture and every word.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Farah said...

What a cutie the Pink truck is...

Unknown said...

We had Extreme Home Makeover do a home in our area about 4 years ago. It is quite an experience to see how they transform a home. Such amazing stories, and the things they do are wonderful. I'm looking forward to watching the episode to see how it turned out!!!
xo
lynn

Vanessa said...

Hi! We just had Extreme Home Makeover in our city last fall! So exciting and I can't wait to see the big reveal! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Inspiration Friday party!
Vanessa
P.S. I've noticed lately that my posts look fine when I preview them and then when I go to Publish it they get messed up (different fonts, smaller print, etc.). Maybe it is a blogger issue!

C'est la Vie said...

This is simply amazing, I was so interested ....Thanks so much for sharing!! Have a great weekend!

Simply Debbie said...

DEAR GINGER,
This is so very awe inspiring. I am so very glad that you got to see the action and shared with us. I would consider that a very special day and I LOVE THAT HOUSE WAS BUILT ON THE WORD OF GOD. will you be a part of the auidence that screams...move that bus...that show always makes me cry with with joy.
Your pictures were divine.
HAVE A SUGAR SWEET DAY
Simply Debbie

Jorgelina said...

What a cutie the Pink truck !
Happy pink saturday!

Beverly said...

Welcome to your first Pink Saturday, Savannah Granny. I am so glad you joined us, and I hope you will be back often. I clicked to follow your blog, and I hope you will follow mine, too.

I had seen this advertised, and I will be watching. There is so much good in our world. We just have to generate and seek it. Surely the presence of God is among this goodness.

Savannah is one of my favorite cities. When I was a child, we used to go to Mrs. Williams' on the river for seafood.

Erika said...

This is so exciting and the pink truck looks smashing! :)
Happy Pink Saturday!

viridian said...

Thanks for sharing. Happy Pink Saturday!

Betty said...

Happy Pink Saturday! Extreme Makeover came to our area a few years ago. My hubby and I visited and were amazed at all the work going on.

Donnie said...

What a wonderful post. They really do a wonderful job.

Char said...

What an uplifting post. I love the way such a worthy cause brings out the best in everyone. Happy Pink Saturday and best wishes to the family, Char

Infatuated with Homes and Gardens said...

How exciting ,please pot the finished results when you can ,I am in Australia and I don't think we get the current series ,the house is so cute ,love the verandah and it loks more traditional than they usually do.
I am yur newest follower :)

Infatuated with Homes and Gardens said...

sorry I can spell ,just rushing too much!

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

I saw the end of this show last night. I love the show. We lived in Savannah for about 8 years, having relocated 3 years ago. I still go visit. There is not a more charming town anywhere in the US in my opinion. I have a lot of great friends there too. So happy for this family to be blessed with such a beautiful home. I'm your newest follower and would be delighted to have you follow me back!
Tammy @ www.beatricebanks.blogspot.com

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