"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Central Illinois

Watch Updates from the Buid

When we can, we are doing a little behind the scenes video taping.  Come back here periodically to see what we have updated!  Keep reading to see the videos.

Please be Patient as We Communicate

As you can imagine, things move extremely fast with this build.  After we announced the raffle, we received a significant influx of phone calls, emails and comments to the site.  Under normal circumstances, all communication points would be finely ironed out before we shared information.  As we all know, however, nothing about this build is "normal"! Please keep reading for what we know now and what we are working on finding out.

‘MOVE THAT BUS’ TICKET RAFFLE - Win a chance for you and a friend to hear Ty say:‘MOVE THAT BUS!’

Thoughts from the build - Hear what workers have to say

Beverly Fritz

"To have Ty and his Team here in Pekin IL is a blessing in itself. You guys rock and so does your security team. Jose and Ayad in particular. Very nice guys. I was honored to be selected to be a volunteer for this project. Though I didn't get to help build the house (must be safe) I was able to make sure the workers had food coffee and support. We kept feeding and they kept working. I had a blast and proudly wear my shirt. When I first walked up Wed. night I couldnt believe what I was seeing. I had to work Thursday so I wasn't there and when I arrived this am (24th) my jaw hit the pavement. You Guys ROCK! I can't wait to see it when it's complete and see the show when it airs. If anyone ever gets a chance to do this you must do it. It's really an experience you will never forget. God Bless the Grys family and Jake you enjoy buddy."

Penny Pennell

"Steve and Jean - Well here we are day 2 of your dream come true. I thought that by writing here you'd get a perspective of things from this side of the project. 

Yesterday was day 1 and you got the shout-out of your dreams from Ty and his team. Today demolition begins I will try to take photos for you. I know that you must be overwhelmed with excitement but I do hope you're taking the opportunity to relax and enjoy this much-deserved vacation.

I went to the site yesterday and had the opportunity to meet designer Michael Moloney - super nice guy! I can't wait to get down there and put in my hours...I am humbled to be part of such an amazing project!"

Angie Flannigan - Edison Jr. High

"Bekah Abby and Jake -  It seems so long ago that your mom asked me if I would write a letter to Extreme Home Makeover telling them why I thought your family deserved a home where Jake could do things for himself.  You girls were so excited!  I am so happy for your family!  You deserve it all.  Miracles do happen and as I sit in my classroom and look out my window at the street where your house used to be I realize that YES DREAMS DO COME TRUE! Congratulations and I can't wait to go and volunteer at your new home!  Mrs. Flannigan"

Did you work the Build the Dream Project?  Share your experience and thoughts with the Extreme Dream Team and the Grys Family!
http://www.extrememakeoverupdates.com/share_your_experience.html

Thursday Updates from Melanie

Construction Has Begun

Day 3: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 — Construction begins and volunteers start working.

Pride Walk & Demolition Time!

Day 2: Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008 — The day begins with Builder Melanie Spurgeon and 200+ energetic workers taking the walk of pride to show the commitment to the project.  A professional mover transfers the family's belongings to storage, and demolition of the house takes place.

An Extreme Schedule Has Begun! Family Identified!

Day 1: Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008 —Ty Pennington knocks on the door (well, yells in a megaphone) and informs the family that they have been selected to get a miracle of a gift from their community.

Link to Us or Subscribe to Updates!!

This amazing miracle of a build would not be possible without the generous actions of many people.  You can help too!  Here are a few ways you can volunteer off-site:

We're only 3 days away from Door Knock!

Ty will be knocking on the door of a very deserving family in THREE days and we are in need of a number of items to make this miracle happen.  Here are our outstanding needs.  Please help to make this dream come true.