Extreme Home Makeover

Well, while I don't think anyone in Chapman would say that the June 11th tornado was a good thing - there is a silver lining. Extreme Home Makeover, complete with Ty, Paige and all the man-tears you can stand, came to Chapman to help rebuild last week. It's actually pretty amazing. I took some pictures yesterday and I'll post them at the end. From what I understand the family chosen for the big house is pretty needy - a family of six, plus a nephew. The dad was injured in Iraq - I've heard different ways, shot in the neck or brain or back injury - either way sounds pretty extreme. Extreme enough to make Ty cry, I'm sure. They've been living on base at Fort Riley since the tornado - while the kids are still in school in Chapman - probably about 20-30 minutes away. Sounds like a family that will definitely have a much improved and much deserved life. Right now I think the family is in the Bahamas and that too me - that's a huge benefit too as the cold season has started. To me the crews working (most of which are local volunteers- -3000 volunteers) look like ants on an ant hill that I just kicked over. Seriously though - it really does make me think of an old-timey barn raising. The community has definitely shown support - if not for the family and Chapman, then the support for the desire to maybe be on TV!
But like I said - they are helping with the rebuilding of Chapman - not just one family. They are also rebuilding the community center - complete with huuuuge storm shelter, the city park, a smaller renovation for another family, and yesterday I even over heard someone saying that there was a bunch of volunteers down at the high school - an extra project. Now there are two ways to look at all this - depending on the level of cynicism I am feeling. It's amazing that 3000+ people and companies can come together and do this for each other. It kinda makes me sad that it takes 6 months and small screen celebrities to make it happen. And when it does happen - they build one huge home - rather than 5 smaller homes. Part of it is the appeal - the oooooh, ahhhh. But I think that I wish the appeal was just as great if they rebuilt for more people. The other side of me - the cynical aspect of me - is greatly pleased to be proved correct as some of the people of Chapman are getting jealous and snipe-y. Lots of people are whispering "They don't deserve it." Don't get me wrong - I think the family that they chose and the projects that the teams are working on are valid and needy - I stopped watching that show a long time ago because I got tired of crying both happy and sad tears, so... Sad. Happy. Sad? Happy? You tell me. Pictures galore.

This one is a little outside of town - but I think it's cool.