My Extreme Makeover Experience
by Penney Rudicil

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The story that I am about to share is not one about a television show, the celebrities or crew that work on that show, or even really about the fact that a beautiful house was constructed in only 6 days. It is about the tragic loss the Hawkins family suffered and how the love, sweat, and tear of the people in our community came together to build them a HOME.

You see, on April 7, 2006, a tornado swept through our community. Eleven people from our county were killed and numerous injuries were reported. We had nearly 600 homes and business destroyed.

Amy Hawkins was home with her two young sons, Cole (age 3) and Jair (age 6), when she received a call from her husband, Jerrod. He told her the tornado was headed straight toward them. She said "I know!" And, then, the phone went dead. After the tornado passed, neighbors found Amy and the boys lying under a massive pile of rubble, with one of Amy's arms around each boy. One neighbor called Jerrod at the fire station, who then had to instruct his neighbors how to give his own wife CPR.

Tragically, Amy suffered permanent injuries. Her vertebrae and ribs were crushed, her lungs were punctured, and she sustained serious head trauma. Left paralyzed by the destructive force of nature, Amy is slowly recovering, but doctors say she will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

Both boys were treated for bruises and abrasions and released later that evening. Her boys and husband call Amy a "hero." "Our house blowed away and Mama became a hero, didn't she, Papa," Jair says. "She covered us so we wouldn't be hurt, didn't she, Papa."

When something like this happens, you feel helpless. You want to help but don't know how. Our church family decided we would get together and help by gathering as many of their personal belongings together as possible. We walked the roads and fields gathering photos and toys and packing them up. (Not just for this family, but throughout our community for all the families affected. In fact, there was actually a "lost and found" center you could take property to.)

Next, we developed a petition to try and get the Hawkins family nominated for ABC's "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" and began asking people to sign it. We even started passing it on the Internet. Many of you may have seen it or even signed it, as I sent it to every one I knew. ABC said they received more 50,000 signatures -- the most in the history of the show.

After spending three and a half months in hospitals and rehab, Amy Hawkins came home, but to a rental home. Their previous home was gone, all their personal property was gone, all their memories gone.

What a surprise to wake up a few days later to the sound of an oddly familiar voice bellowing at them through a bull-horn: "Goooood morning, Hawkins family!" Standing in the driveway of their temporary quarters, horn in hand, was none other than Ty Pennington, carpenter and team leader.

When I heard they were looking for volunteers to help, I thought to myself, "Of course I want to help, but what could I do?" I know my limits -- I am a travel agent, not a contractor! But, I am good at organizing, I enjoy cooking, I have contacts in the community, and I'm good at working with people. Ah, I have an idea!

Patricia Bannister, our Memphis director, happened to be here at our home for a travel conference that weekend and went to church with us that Sunday. So, she and I got our heads together, we went to the producers, and we offered to supply the food and beverage for the volunteer tent for the whole week! We hadn't really thought it out before we opened our mouths, but our big hearts and mouths said it, so we looked at each other and said, "Now what?" and started working on a game plan. We knew that there were three shifts of 300 volunteers per shift, so this was going to be lot of hard work and a lot of long hours.

The job site had a catering tent that was supplied with food and beverage from local restaurants and vendors, but the volunteer tent that was set up off site did not have sponsors, so that is where Patricia and I focused our efforts. We brought them breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a 3 a.m. "snack." A lot of hard work? YES!!!!! Rewarding? OH YES!

We were not alone in our efforts. We got really good at begging, borrowing, and (at times) threatening to steal. I produced an email and daily newsletter about the progress of the house (including photos) so everyone could see how it was coming along. Many local people donated food -- everything from sandwich trays, chips, and muffins to pizza, fried chicken, and much more -- while other people made monetary donations towards our efforts.

Watching the number of people come out to help build this house for someone they did not even know (according to ABC, more than 3,000 volunteers -- the highest in the show's history), work in 97+ degree weather every day, and take time away from their families and lives was amazing! I have never been so proud of my community! One volunteer I will never forget was Miss Diane, an 82-year-old woman who was there daily from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. She couldn't swing a hammer or lay sod, but she would pour coffee or tea, she would sign people in or anything else that you needed, and she inspired me!

It was an AWESOME EXPERIENCE!

Many of us not only spent countless hours volunteering that week, but we also had to run our own businesses, take care of our own families, and shoulder other responsibilities. I think I personally averaged two to three hours of sleep a night. But, no matter now tired I was, when I would get to the job site and see all those individuals working so hard, see the house going up, or think about the young family that would be coming home soon, I would get my second wind and keep going.

When the family arrived home on Friday afternoon, I stood and watched as they saw their new home for the first time. I thought to myself, this should be a private moment, yet there are thousands of people watching them. But, without these people, there would be no home, or at least not this home, and not in six days! These people deserved to be here too. The Hawkins were so excited, they were so overwhelmed, and they seemed humbled by the love of the people that were here to support them. I know they must have been thrilled by the house, too, but it was more about the people. You could see it in their faces as they thanked everyone.

I have always been involved in volunteer work. I have done Meals on Wheels, worked with the Big Brothers & Big Sisters program, volunteered as a counselor on the 24-hour parent help line for years, worked in a teen group home, and served as a foster parent for 15 years. I have been active in the schools and church throughout the years, but I must say that working on this project was different.

Most of the time, you are working with a small group of people within an organization. However, this was the entire community -- and not just Sumner County, but people from other counties and even other states who drove hours to be here to help. Now, let me say this as well: NOT all the people came were here for the right reason. Many of them wanted to see Ty Pennington or to get on TV. But, the majority of them were here to work and wanted to help because they are truly good people with their hearts in the right place.

A few days after the reveal and things had settled down, I had the opportunity to talk with Jerrod and Amy. They were still reeling from everything, and they were (and probably still are) overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone involved in this project. They expressed to me that they truly feel blessed to be a part of a community that cares about people and that took the time, sweat, and tears to make this happen for them!

I have put together a slide show to share my experience with you. Click here (it may take a moment to load, but it is worth it).

The actual episode of "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" was actually scheduled for Oct. 8 (but you may catch it in reruns).

Do you live in a community that you can be proud of? I hope that, if someone in your area is in need, you will put down your computer and telephone to take the time to go and help. And, thank you for allowing me to share my experience with you!

Penney Rudicil is OSSN's Eastern Regional Manager based near Nashville, Tenn. You can reach her at tnossn@comcast.net.