7 Home Reno in Joplin MO with Extreme Makeover

march1If you’ve seen the movie Braveheart, you’ll recall the scenes in which a mass of passionate warriors converged on one spot – a battlefield. It was with this mindset that hundreds of people – builders, professionals and caring neighbors – came together for the Braveheart March. This is the segment in each Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EMHE) episode when a crowd of folks rallies around the recipient family – showing the support they need and then sending them off for a week of relaxation while an army of volunteers builds them a new home. But in this case it would be seven homes, seven families…and seven days.

Despite the chill in the air, the crowd eagerly awaited the chance to meet the families whose houses we would be building. What a fantastic moment when the EMHE producers gave us the signal and we marched together – all cheering as we headed over the hill.

march2As we approached the group of families, we surrounded (engulfed) them along with the EMHE Designers. The emotion and enthusiam of those moments was overwhelming; the joy was evidenced by the mix of smiles and tears on the faces of everyone present. It was the start of a very special seven days.