By Dawn Fluhler

Hundreds of fans and volunteers gathered in Kokomo’s First Church of the Nazarene Jan. 10 to greet the Cowan-Brown family and one another. They enjoyed 1,500 donated Blondie’s cookies and soft drinks provided by Coca-Cola and the church’s Holy Grounds coffee bar. Groups such as the American Cancer Society and the Be the Match national marrow donor program had information booths and volunteers available.

At 7 p.m., the crowd moved into the church auditorium where Dennis Ashley from D. Ashley Design + Events moderated a program that included: opening remarks, Hallmark Homes highlights, volunteer highlights and testimony, Cowan-Brown family highlights, viewing of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Bunker Hill episode, Hallmark Homes and Cowan-Brown family responses, an IROK Foundation presentation and closing remarks.

During the pre-show family highlights, the family shared information about the application process, working with the community, acclimating to their new house and unpacking.

Andy and Heather shared that the application process was lengthy; not only in paper form, but also in the amount of time it took from application to selection. Andy mentioned that there were many questions on the application that nobody would want to answer – a comment met by laughter from the crowd.

“We are so proud of this community and our church and school,” Heather said. “We are so thankful and we are so blessed.”

She said the family’s clothing and bedding was all professionally cleaned and returned to the garage before Reveal Day. And she is still unpacking – down to about two dozen boxes.

“I’m still sleeping in the garage,” Andy said, emphasizing how very much he likes the workshop garage full of new tools and equipment. Again, the crowd laughed and applauded. When the garage was revealed during the episode, the crowd said, “Wow,” in unison.

The crowd laughed and applauded several times during the show. There were also times of sniffles and tears.

On commercial break, Ashley moderated conversations and brief presentations. During one break, Paul Schwinghammer and Derek Wilder of Hallmark Homes presented Kori a $5,150 check – the proceeds from the auction sale of five handmade “1K” pillows – which she in turn presented to the American Cancer Society.

In case you missed the episode, a home build that usually takes more than 106 days was done in 106 hours for the show. The show presented this in time-warp fashion during about 25 seconds of air time. The home and each special room was designed and furnished to meet the likes of the Cowan-Brown family.

Andy got his garage. Heather and Andy’s bedroom was presented as a quiet retreat. Trevor’s room was designed for his love of building. Ryan’s room was soccer-themed. Mason’s room was motorcycle-themed. And Kori’s room was decorated with 8,950 sticky notes – a tribute to her favorite form of organization.

The full episode is available here .

From Hallmark Homes to the contractors, sponsors and volunteers; from the ABC crew to the community; and certainly from the Cowan-Brown family to their new beginnings … Extreme is the best way to sum it all up.