Extreme Makeover Project 615

Hi Everyone!

I am the organizer who submitted a chapter for Maggie's book, Small Businesses Give Big. Please read below to hear the latest, and the LARGEST volunteer project I have ever worked

On November 12, 2008 I received the opportunity of a lifetime. I was the most recent addition to the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team that was going to build a new home for a family in Voluntown, CT. I remember when I first heard about the project, I said I would do any task they needed me for and told the builder, "Just get me on the project...I'll do anything!" He asked me what I wanted and naturally I said, "Well, I'd like to organizer the kitchen, of course." He replied, "Well that job is usually performed by the designers", so I replied, "Then I'll sweep the floors". When I learned he needed custom closets, I took on the task of finding the right person. I previously had worked with a closet designer in Guilford, CT so I gave him a call and within a few days, after checking with his wood supplier, he was on the team. Each tradesperson is required to provide the materials and labor for the build so I reached out to a number of colleagues and quickly build the team needed to transport and install nine custom closets in a very short window. We were given the 4:00AM window the day before the family was to arrive home, and we were supposed to be the only contractors in the home at that time. When we arrived that morning, we quickly learned we would not be able to step foot in the home for some time. There was a series of delays (mostly weather related) that prevented us from starting work that day. The team was large and very eager to work, so many of us got involved in odd jobs to help expedite and troubleshoot the problems they were experiencing. Twelve hours after arriving at the site, we completed the last closet. It was located in the pantry and was the most important closet in the home because of the filming. The team was determined and several members had to leave early because of the delays, but given the number of people on our team, we had the flexibility to work around other contractors and were able to successfully install all nine closets that day.

Much earlier in the process, before the door knock even happened, there was a pep rally held for all of the trade volunteers. It was here that I met the production assistants and the design assistants from Extreme Makeover. They assigned me the task of clearing out the family home on Day Two of the project, and to help find resources for donating some of the family furniture that was no longer needed. I remained on site nearly twelve hours that day to insure the items would go to a good home. I made a few calls and was able to find a resource to transport the items to a local charity, which was supporting (ironically) other families who had recently had fires at their home. Our Extreme Makeover family had also experienced a fire in their home a year earlier. Most of their belongings were damaged but the Extreme Makeover team was able to find an area cleaner to restore much of the clothing that was left behind.

By Day Three, the Brave heart March was held (this is the big event leading up to the house demo). I received a call that morning on my cell from the Extreme Makeover contact that needed my help with finding a resource and stated she heard I was the "Go To Gal" on the project. This was quite an honor after only being involved for one day. I was delighted to help in any way possible. By the time I responded to her call, she had found the resource but needed another. I quickly helped with that contact and from then on, I was entrenched in the project. The next request was to find a photo enlarger and refinisher and then they needed decor for the home to match the theme of the house. All these resources needed to be donated and located very quickly, so called upon networking colleagues who lead me to others who volunteered to help.

When the evening before the reveal set in almost a week later, there were hundreds of volunteers eager to assist in any way possible. I was given the task that night, somewhere around 11:00 PM, to organize the kitchen! The very job I requested a month earlier. It was so surreal. I quickly rallied a team of volunteers from the garage where the items were being stored and gave each a specific task. Within about an hour, we had the kitchen AND the pantry fully functional for the family. It was amazing! Shortly thereafter, my assistant and I went upstairs to the bedrooms to help organize the girls' bedrooms. While is was very late in the evening, and we had already worked a long day, it was very exciting to see the home come together and very rewarding to have been involved in some capacity.

I am blessed to have been given this opportunity to help with such an incredibly large and important project, and for such a deserving family. Given the time frame of the build, the weather conditions, and the intricacies of the home, the designers told the volunteers this may have been the most challenging project they have had in all six seasons.

All in all, I donated a week of my time, oversaw the coordination of nine custom closets, helped to clear out the family home, found resources for the unwanted furniture, delivered the furniture, located period décor for the home, located a photo enlarger for the family photos, coordinated storage units and moving trucks for the donated items and furnishings, and organized the new home. Who would have thought just a month prior that I was going to do anything more than sweep the floors?...which, by the way, I never had to do!

If you have ever thought that one person cannot make a difference, think again. We had over 3,000 people who came together individually and as teams for the good of the cause. I saw people perform incredible tasks that week and witnessed amazing workmanship under very difficult working conditions. Each person, in my opinion, excelled farther than they had even expected or knew they could. Friendships and new business allies were formed during the build, and amazing memories will last us a lifetime. Give of yourself and I promise you, you will gain so much more in return.

Donna