Murfreesboro Diamond

Extreme Makeover: Their faces say it all February 28, 2007 - No reporter cited

By Heather Grabin

Okay, so it did not all go down according to plan, but it is still amazing. A huge crowd of spectators including the University of Central Arkansas football team waited Monday afternoon for the Collin’s home to be revealed.

When the Collins’ family arrived home Monday from Walt Disney World, their home was still unfinished. The family saw their new home and were involved in the filming of the television shots. After the shots, they were wisked away to spend the night in a motel. The home should be completed very soon.

The delay is mainly due to the awesome storm system that moved through the area Saturday. Heavy rains and high winds reeked havoc on the set. Tents were blown away and the mud made an awful mess.

Volunteers showed up in droves, but there was a lack of skilled volunteer labor at one point. Many volunteers were surprised by the actual work they were asked to do. A construction site is a very hard-working, fast paced job without having a week’s time limit, with a week’s limit it was surely brutal.

According to Steve Butcher of RealSteel, the construction of the home itself produces a stronger, safer, and more energy efficient home by using steel framing and foam insulation. The construction methods are designed to be sustainable and affordable while using recycled products in an effort to address global warming issues.

In a press release Butcher stated, “While searching for the labor and materials for the build, I found an unbelievable community spirit. Even in this hurry-up world of ours, hundreds of volunteers unselfishly stepped forward to help out and everyone was excited and happy to participate. Many people worked long hours and contributed vast resources without complaint to see that the project was perfect and complete. The cast and crew of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” were a pleasure to work with. They were extremely dedicated, hardworking individuals who worked night and day to finish the project. They’re extremely dedicated, hardworking individuals who worked night and day to finish the project. They’re amazing!”

Yavonne Butcher, Steve Butcher’s wife, spoke very highly of her husband and the construction process. She stated that Steve’s motto is “I’m Third.” Meaning that God is first, others are second, and I’m third.

Designers walked the set occasionally during the week long construction process. Johnny Littlefield was designing the one of the kid’s room and the landscaping. He said that the landscaping will be very simple, because he has noticed that in Arkansas “the yards blend in with the surroundings.” When asked about the kid’s room he simply stated, “THINK PAINTBALL.”

Designer Eduardo Xol is in charge of the master bedroom. When asked about a color theme he stated, “Dennis likes black, Kim doesn’t. Both of them said that they liked red, but then they asked how much red.” Xol said that he tries to design for the individual so that the space is totally theirs.

The tentative air time for the Collins’ home on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be April 22, because it takes 6 weeks to edit the segments for the show.

Many individuals and businesses have donated materials, food, and time for the project, but what about the after effects?The family will have many changes and challenges facing them throughout the next few months. A bigger house generally warrants bigger electric bills, but the construction of the home should help keep these at a minimum. The family will have to pay the property taxes and insurance on their new home which could end up being quite a bit.

It is safe to say the Collins family’s lives will never be the same. Hopefully a new home, designed to meet the large family’s needs will help make the struggle of daily life easier.

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