By Rhett Umphress

Anyone who came to volunteer at the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build likely met Anita Knepp. Knepp was the volunteer coordinator at the build. She would check in both skilled and non-skilled participants as they came through the volunteer tent for each day of the build.

Knepp is a sales manager at Hallmark Homes. She became the volunteer coordinator when she was asked to do lead that effort by the producers from ABC.

Along with finding volunteers for some of the non-build tasks, Knepp also traveled the site performing miscellaneous activities. She would make sure that trash dumpsters were empty, make sure that everyone had the proper apparel and badges, and just fill in where she was need, she said.

And what the hardest part of the build?

“Lack of sleep,” she said with a chuckle.

The build was also a family affair for the Knepps. Knepp has two daughters and two sons come to site. Her cousin’s husband was a part of donating and installing the geothermal system for the house. And her husband helped with the Family Service Association Domestic Shelter renovations in Kokomo.

Undulated with volunteers, Knepp was able to spread some of them to tasks around the community. Along with the Domestic Shelter – where a new roof, painting, flooring, and landscaping all occurred – volunteers also helped some at some homes of the elderly where they could not perform such tasks themselves.

She still talks to people occasionally about the show. It comes up at work, as well as when she runs into people for the first time since the build. She has had old high school friends who have e-mailed her once they heard about her involvement in the build. Knepp said that it has been nice to reconnect with people.

One of Knepp’s favorite moments was meeting a child that was a big fan of the show. She helped the child meet several of the cast members and get their autographs.

“It was nice meeting some of the kids that were fans of the show,” she said.