Dish-Houston

By Kimberly Campbell, President, QUEST Business Strategies

Even with an artic blast bringing Texas temperatures to lows not seen in over fifteen years, the construction team and volunteers for an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition are forging ahead to complete a Bay Area Houston home by Thursday. The frosty conditions that went below twenty degrees caused some of the insulated roofing panels to temporarily freeze and hindered cement from drying, both slowing down the build progress. But the heart of the community remains at full drive, bringing volunteers by the droves to pitch in a helping hand.

The two-story house is taking form, measuring out at a whopping 6,500 square feet. The walls and roof were nearly complete by Monday afternoon, and dozens of windows have been installed. At the construction site, pallets of drywall were ferried indoors to form the various rooms, which include a physical therapy area, family theater, and commercial-grade kitchen.

Meanwhile, the Beach family is in Florida, enjoying a Disneyworld vacation. Stripped of cell phones, computers and all electronic devices, the family only gets construction updates from Ty Pennington, the show’s host. Larry and Melissa Beach were chosen to receive a new home when the show’s producers learned that this amazing family of fifteen was living in a trailer next to their house that was totally gutted last year by Hurricane Ike. Over the years, the Beach’s have fostered 85 children, adopting nine in addition to their four older biological kids.

Larry Beach works for Centerpoint Energy, the local natural gas company. The street where the Beach’s live maintains no gas lines. When an early call went out for donations of new gas appliances, the family realized that they were not selected for the show, as they had only electric capabilities. Unbeknownst to them, gas lines were installed for all area residents, laid by his coworkers under cover in Verizon telephone trucks to keep it all hush-hush. The crew stopped just short of the Beach property, finishing installation once the family was notified of their selection for the show.

With just over two days remaining until the big reveal, monetary donations are still in demand. Monies raised will pay off the family’s original mortgage and set up college scholarships for the children. Please make a donation using the secure Pay Pal system assessable at the homebuilder’s website at www.blushieldsextreme.com/donations. Additionally, all Bay Area Houston residents are encouraged to give the gift of life at area blood drives being held in conjunction with the build. For locations and times, visit http://blushieldsextreme.com/january-8-2010/.

DISH-COntributer: By Kimberly Campbell, President, QUEST Business Strategies (www.qbsmarketing.com)

HOW VERY DISHIE IS THIS!!!!!!   This Thursday, another lucky and deserving family will receive the surprise of a lifetime when the team of ABC’s Emmy awarded-winning program, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, pulls up in their big bus. The Bay Area Houston resident will be virtually evicted from their home on Thursday and sent on a week-long vacation, all while their house is demolished and rebuilt in less than seven days.

This project marks EM:HE’s 174^th episode where a family receives an amazing home transformation, all of which is made possible solely through generous donations from the community. Blu Shields Construction has taken on the mammoth task as the prime contractor and home builder. Their staff is responsible for spearheading all contractors willing to share their materials, labor and talents. Monetary donations are also collected to fund many of the project costs, pay off the existing mortgage, and set up college scholarships for the family’s children.

Public events for this episode were kicked off Monday with a massive pep rally in League City. Led by executive producer, Anthony Dominici, the 400-person crowd met the production crew, viewed video from previous shows, and got geared up to volunteer their important time during a particularly cold week here in the south.

Not only will this family benefit from this endeavor, but hundreds of others in the community will also reap rewards. The American Red Cross, a partner of EM:HE, is being mobilized to conduct a blood drive at the spectator site. Additionally, all visitors, volunteers and media are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to help restock the shelves of area food banks, many depleted during the recent holidays.

Materials, donations and volunteers are still needed for this project. Anybody wanting to offer a helping hand can sign up on the Blu Shields website at www.blushieldsextreme.com. A list of specific supplies and trades needed are also listed. Project progress can also be followed on Facebook by becoming a Blu Shields Extreme fan.

The chosen family will get to see their new home on Thursday, January 14 when the show’s lead designer, Ty Pennington, hosts the “reveal” and engenders the crowd to shout those famous words, “Move that bus!” Although the air date of this episode is not yet known, EM:HE, currently in it’s seventh season, airs Sundays at 7:00pm on ABC.

Now get out there DISHIES and HELP!!! =) WOOHOOO!!!