Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Is Coming To Tucson!

Other posts by DesertMama

Last week I received word that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is on the road again, this time it’s stopping in the desert, my town specifically Tucson, Arizona! If you don’t know about this ABC show here is a little background: Every episode a deserving family, usually very much in need and is or has been facing a hardship, is chosen to have their house completely renovated. Often the house is in such bad shape it is knocked down and swept away.

Host of the show is the fun and energetic Ty Pennington. Ty, the Extreme Makeover team, and volunteers renovate or rebuild a new home where the old house stood. The home is then beautifully furnished and the yard landscaped before welcoming the family to their “new” home.

Week after week, the EHM team and volunteers do an outstanding job. It’s a “feel good show” that inspires people to help others less fortunate and it also inspires homemakers to re-do their home – at least I get the urge.

The show always manages to make me a little weepy. When I was pregnant I had to have a box of Kleenex nearby because I would sob and sob and sob – a little dramatic I know, but Extreme Makeover: Home Edition sure knows how to produce a a tearjerker.

When I heard Extreme Makeover was coming to town the first thing to come to mind was – how can I help? Well, that was a great question with an easy answer: there is a website dedicated to the show asking for volunteers, donations and it has answers to all of your burning questions, such as “Can I ask Ty out for a date or at least have him sign my autograph book?” – the answer is no, at least not while on-site, but there may be an opportunity at some point. (Okay, it doesn’t really mention the date part – but is does talk about autographs.)

Today is the “move-out” date so if you’re in town and have time to volunteer tonight from 5 pm to 1:30 am sign up now! The remaining days open to volunteers are the building days and they run Thursday, January 29th to Tuesday, February 3rd.

Since I have the “kid-thing” going on I had to choose a weekend time slot, so I’ll be there Sunday February 1st from 10am to 2pm. If you’re going to be there keep an eye out for me.

The Tucson builder is the generous John Wesley Miller Companies and EHM is still looking for volunteers and donations especially the list below:

  • WOODWORKERS! Skilled cabinetmakers, furniture makers – woodworkers!
  • Generous Tucson restaurants to donate meals!
  • Native American Artists (pottery, weaving, etc)
  • Lumber and building materials! Cash donations can help as well.
  • Home Decor
  • Services

If you can help go here to find out more. See you there – I can’t wait to shout Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s catch phrase: “Move That Bus!”

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January 27, 2009 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar 

Comments

16 Responses to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Is Coming To Tucson!”

  1. Daniel says:
    January 27, 2009 at

    Oh, if I were only in Tuscon…

    I wonder if the desert heat will dry out all of the crap in Ty’s hair.

  2. MountainMama says:
    January 27, 2009 at

    I had a total crush on Ty when he was on Trading Spaces. I hope you blog about your experience, Beth!

  3. Barbara Techel says:
    January 27, 2009 at

    How exciting, Blair!!! I had the same opportunity when EMO came to a very tiny town near me in Wisconsin. My husband is a General Contractor and we are part of a builder’s assn so we were able to help. There were so many volunteers that we were only able to work one shift, but it was a blast. It was so fun to see how everything unfolded. And it was so awesome to know we were in some small way helping a family in need.
    You will love the experience! I’m so excited for you. And congrats on all the good things happening for you! Wahoo!
    ~Barbara Techel
    http://www.joyfulpaws.com

  4. Allyn Evans says:
    January 27, 2009 at

    How much fun! Can’t wait to read the follow up post, Beth. :)
    http://www.allynevans.blogspot.com

  5. Prill Boyle says:
    January 27, 2009 at

    Wow! I love Ty! Wish I could be there, but I’m not going anywhere–at least for a few days. My Connecticut driveway is a sheet of ice.

  6. Nancy D. Brown says:
    January 27, 2009 at

    Beth,
    This sounds like a lot of fun. Also makes you feel good when you can help others less fortunate. I know my daughter is always a little more appreciative of what she has when she comes back from her yearly mission trips with our church.

    Fortunately, they will not have you on the mold removal team, mucking out houses in New Orleans.

  7. Terri says:
    January 27, 2009 at

    When the show was in Bartlesville, OK 2 years ago, I met Ty at a restaurant here. The house is great – it’s been on a couple of house tours here. Do the volunteer thing; it’s fun!

  8. jess says:
    January 27, 2009 at

    Which designers are there in Tucson

  9. A concern resident says:
    January 29, 2009 at

    I am appalled to see that Extreme Make-Over is coming to Tucson..but more overly that they are going to make someones dream come true?! yeah RICH peoples dream psh instead of going to the poor side where i know plenty of people who need it..im very dissapointed apparently only people with higher class and money can get there dreams come true how sad..

  10. DULCE says:
    February 2, 2009 at

    MY DAD HELPED TO BREAK THE HOUSE AND TO REBULD IT!!

  11. amanda says:
    February 3, 2009 at

    To: A Concern Resident,

    First, isn’t it “A concernED resident”?

    Second, how could you be “appalled” they are coming to Tucson, and to a well deserved family?
    Their medical bills are sky high and their house was unsafe for the entire family, including Lizzie.

    If Extreme Home Makeover could help EVERYONE, they would.

    You should be ashamed of yourself for saying that another family from the “poor side” deserves it more. To be poor is only a state of mind. And rich is to be filled with joy, to have a loving family and the ability to appreciate every moment.

    They chose this family for their dedicated commitment to such an amazing community even though they themselves are struggling.

    This humble and caring family deserves this makeover, and I am so happy to see a weight being lifted from the shoulders.

    I can’t wait for tomorrows reveal where I can cheer on an such an incredible family.

    - A PROUD Tucsonan

  12. Annie says:
    February 3, 2009 at

    Hi I was notified through my sorority to sign up for volunteering the but the date they arranged for us is tomorrow February 4th at 10am and I see now that we missed all the Volunteer days to help with moving out and demolishion, but just wondering if anyone knows when the reveal time is and if tomorrow is still a day to come out and help with whats left???

    Thanks!

  13. Amy Cranford says:
    February 4, 2009 at

    omg…my friend is next door neighboors with the family thet picked..the bells family….im so happy for them…love you abbey…hope you love your new house!!!

  14. Whit says:
    February 6, 2009 at

    I was in town for some family issues and was able to go to the demolition and meet a lot of the crew and builders. It’s a good thing that they do.

  15. Kenna says:
    February 12, 2009 at

    I completely agree. The show decided to go basically to the wealthiest part of tucson when there are plenty of other well deserving people around Tucson whose homes are in a much crappier state…oh well, i suppose it just looks good for tv.

  16. a family member says:
    February 15, 2009 at

    They are not rich. They are completely deserving of this! How ridiculous you people are.
    Maybe they could give you their house and Lizzie’s disease? Seems like a fair trade to me, right?

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