2008 VIP
kid-kansas
Clearwater, KS

Building a better world, one piece at a time!

5 star rating

loving this product, enjoy a good story line
Pros

    Awesome houses, Helps people in need, Paying it Forward


SEP
6
2008
I have watched this show for a few years now and it tugs at your heart strings to see some of the families that have been helped by ABC and the Extreme Home Makeover crew. Ty Pennington is a class act and runs the team into the ground to rebuild peoples lives in 7 days and give them not only a safe house but a way to be together as a family.

At first I thought of it as more of an advertising gimmick for ABC to improve its ratings but that changed quickly as I continued to watch. I saw disabled children get a safe home and hope for the future. I saw families that had some very rough times gain new hope for the future.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Of the many shows I have seen I can't really pick a favorite because all of them help families but for this review I want to touch on the one I just watched about a family named Martinez that moved from a good neighborhood in Colorado to a crime riddled one in New Mexico. The Dad is a pastor and has dedicated his life to helping others. The amazing thing is his wife and 3 daughters share his ambition!

They moved into a neighborhood known as "The War Zone" by locals. Drugs, prostitution and gangs dominated the neighborhood but the Martinez family stood their ground and took in homeless people. They fed them, gave them a place to stay and a chance to be productive members of society! In a few short years they were able to reduce the crime rate by 50%, yes they cut it in half through their selfless efforts.

The Extreme Makeover crew came in and built them a house but didn't stop their, the demolished a whole block and transformed a neighborhood. They gave the Martinez family a way to give back to the community and help people become better people. Old deteriorated house were demolished so that new homes could be built. The family got a home of their own and another house to house those in need. Along with a community center where homeless people can get food and a chance to live again.

Bottom Line

Is ABC after ratings or are they actually trying to make a change in this world? I know they make out from all this but the hope and pride they give back to families across this country far outweighs what they get out of it. Finally a Reality Show that is about the people and not just a show to get ratings from. One effort to give people back hope that they had lost, safety where there once was danger and hope where despair once lived.

It also restores continuity to a family left in despair after tragedy of some kind. I always get teary eyed watching these families getting hope back in their lives. If only more could be helped it would be great but there always has to be a starting point. As it has been said many times on the shows I have seen....."If you pay it forward, great things can happen" and that's what the show is all about...Paying it forward and giving people a chance to make a difference in this world.

You don't have to build someone a home to make a difference! Just put a smile on someones face and you have made a great start. Volunteer in your community if you are so inclined, help an elderly person with their groceries, wave to strangers....It all starts somewhere and it can only help to make this world a better place to be!



I_thumb_up Extreme Makeover Home Edition is recommended by kid-kansas

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about kid-kansas’s Review

 


kid-kansas wrote on Sep 13, 2008 at 6:44AM

In response to MikeMaroon's comment from Sep 12, 2008 at 2:32PM:

Thanks Mike!! ;)

MikeMaroon wrote on Sep 12, 2008 at 2:32PM

In spite of the narcissism that plagues our nation, there are some who still want to help. This is a great show and a great review!

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 12, 2008 at 12:16AM

In response to GigiandAdonai's comment from Sep 11, 2008 at 5:15PM:

I am glad I have Tivo or I would probably miss it some nights as well....I can't do the Habitat for Humanity because of disabilities but I try to give put kind words and smiles whenever I can...;)

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 12, 2008 at 12:11AM

In response to Jo's comment from Sep 10, 2008 at 8:27AM:

Thanks Jo....;)

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 12, 2008 at 12:11AM

In response to LoveisJoy's comment from Sep 9, 2008 at 8:08PM:

Thank you....It warms my heart to watch it..;)

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 12, 2008 at 12:07AM

In response to PattyTherre's comment from Sep 8, 2008 at 10:01PM:

Very good point Patty....I do know on many of the shows they get "Home Maintenance Funds" and some even get their mortgages paid off....;)

PattyTherre wrote on Sep 11, 2008 at 11:20PM

In response to GigiandAdonai's comment from Sep 11, 2008 at 11:04PM:

I saw one where the family helped disabled people by giving them horse riding lessons. Itr was an amazing story and I cried from about the first minute in. I have seen where they build clubhouses and once they did something for a school band. Anything that helps others is fine by me. There are so many people in need and this show gives them hope where before there was none.

GigiandAdonai wrote on Sep 11, 2008 at 11:04PM

In response to PattyTherre's comment from Sep 11, 2008 at 9:59PM:

They have done a few programs where instead of building a house for a family they built a community center for young people or a "clubhouse" for a children's hospital. I have seen a few of those and then a larger group of people benefit from the work that was done. I have also seen a lot of the shows done in which the families had large farms and/or land and so it was just their house. But in the end we watch the shows and we cry because we are so happy for the recipient. We bow our head and thank the Lord that there are still people out there who are willing to lend a helping hand and expect nothing in return; except of course a pb&j sandwich. Did you know that little bit of trivia? Ty "christens" the family's kitchen by bringing his team in with the family and they all eat pb&j sandwiches. I saw that on one of the shows and sometimes if the network keeps it on long enough for the credits to roll you might get a glimpse of it then. Imagine eating a pb&j sandwich with a celebrity. "So what did you do last night?" "Uh...we moved into our dream house and then we ate pb&j sandwiches with the people who helped make dreams come true." Isn't that too sweet:+}

PattyTherre wrote on Sep 11, 2008 at 9:59PM

In response to GigiandAdonai's comment from Sep 11, 2008 at 5:18PM:

I have thought of that too. I can't imagine having a house like that in my middle class neighborhood. I would love to follow up on some of the people and see whether they are still in the homes and how they have come along since. It's always nice to see people in need get help but I sometimes wish three families in need could get it with three normal houses rather than one with an enormous one.

GigiandAdonai wrote on Sep 11, 2008 at 5:18PM

In response to PattyTherre's comment from Sep 8, 2008 at 10:01PM:

I used to wonder that same thing but then I realized this: Most of the time the builder gives them the deed to the house--"Paid In Full." So, I guess they could set aside a little each month "as if" they were making a mortgage and that could go towards a property tax or homeowner's insurance account. One weird thing I've noticed. When they destroy and rebuild on the same lot. Sometimes the neighborhoods aren't that great. Can you imagine what it would be like to have your new "mansion" surrounded by a lot of run down homes?

GigiandAdonai wrote on Sep 11, 2008 at 5:15PM

Amen! I love this show but don't get to watch it too often because it comes on Sunday evenings while I am at church or I get home and forget it's on. I love Paulie and Michael. I miss Constance. I watched a coworker go through the process of having a home built by Habitat For Humanity and my heart was broken time and time again as I heard the beautiful stories of lives that were changed because of another's compassion. You are right--we don't have to build a house. We can offer time and talent. I think a pat on the back and a smile goes a long way in today's world.

Jo wrote on Sep 10, 2008 at 8:27AM

Great message, Ron:)

LoveisJoy wrote on Sep 9, 2008 at 8:08PM

Wonderful review, Ron. I've only seen the show a couple of times but they each had a profound effect on me. It really is nice to see people trying to do good in this world. :)

PattyTherre wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 10:01PM

I cry EVERY time I watch this show. My only little quibble is that the houses they build are so HUGE! How are these people going to keep them up and pay taxes on them? Still, it's a wonderful show and really gets to me.

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 3:18PM

In response to richelmore's comment from Sep 8, 2008 at 6:28AM:

I guess deep down I am just an old softy....;)

gitbean wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 10:06AM

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Sep 8, 2008 at 2:10AM:

Anytime my friend!

richelmore wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 6:28AM

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Sep 8, 2008 at 2:13AM:

My dad and I bawled our eyes out. I'm glad to know someone else did, too. Haha.

AnnaBanana wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 2:55AM

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Sep 8, 2008 at 2:10AM:

That sounds great -- what a wonderful idea that is for a show.

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 2:13AM

In response to Katrena's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 9:19PM:

It is a great feeling to put a smile on someones face.....;)

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 2:13AM

In response to richelmore's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 8:49PM:

That's the one I wrote about, it was a tear jerker...;)

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 2:11AM

In response to jazzybean01's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 5:26PM:

Sunday nights on ABC..the new season starts in 2 weeks....;)

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 2:10AM

In response to gitbean's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 11:39AM:

Thanks Darin! ;)

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 2:10AM

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 11:04AM:

I love it...tonights show involved a soldier in Iraq and his family in Virgina. They had bought property that once had a house built in 1859 but had to be torn own due to decay. He had built a foundation and a few walls before he was shipped out to Iraq. Well they not only built them a home but modeled it after the old house! They also built a separate building for all his Civil War items...They brought that soldier to tears...The surprise was they got a 2 week leave so he could be with his family and see the house of his dreams become reality! ;)

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 8, 2008 at 2:03AM

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 5:41AM:

Thanks George...;)

Katrena wrote on Sep 7, 2008 at 9:19PM

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 2:24AM:

I feel that my patients often give more to me than I give to them.

richelmore wrote on Sep 7, 2008 at 8:49PM

I totally agree. This show is awesome! They did one in Albuquerque and the whole city was out supporting the family. It was an amazing experience.

jazzybean01 wrote on Sep 7, 2008 at 5:26PM

When I had cable I really enjoyed watching this show.

gitbean wrote on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:39AM

Great show and great review Ron!!

AnnaBanana wrote on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:04AM

What a great review and this sounds like a great show!

GeorgeChabot wrote on Sep 7, 2008 at 5:41AM

Good show and well written review, Ron!

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 7, 2008 at 2:24AM

In response to Katrena's comment from Sep 6, 2008 at 11:21PM:

Even those not physically able can always just pass along a smile...;)

Katrena wrote on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:21PM

We like to watch this show too. That episode sounds like an especially good one. My brother and several others buy houses in Dayton, OH that are in "bad" neighborhoods and fix them up and are trying to improve the less than desirable areas up there. He is a landscape architect and has gone on lots of mission trips, both foreign and domestic. I agree with you in that we can find ways to help people if we just look around.

5 star rating
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"Oh my, grab the kleenex box!"



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