By Tiffany Holbert

Components of the new Cowan-Brown home have come from all over the country. Rhonda and Greg Hecht, owners of Madison Millwork in Anderson, delivered the interior doors from Kentucky and the interior windows, which were donated from Built Best Windows in Missouri.

Madison Millwork is a supplier for Hallmark Homes and when they were asked to be a part of the build, they agreed excitedly.

“It’s been fun, I’m glad we were able to be a part of it,” Rhonda said.

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By Rhett Umphress

On Thursday night and Friday morning at the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” site, it rained more than two inches. The rain could have severely hampered the ability for the project to be finished. However, partially thanks to the quick thinking of Monty Henderson and the generosity of many, the project was able to get back on track.

Henderson had the idea of bringing in straw to the build site to cover the mud. After making a few calls, including to Dave Simpson at Simpson Straw in Sharpsville, Ind., more than an acre of straw began coming to the build site. Simpson Straw donated more than 12 tons of straw alone. And as the day went on, more and more groups and individuals donated straw that was spread out over the muddy field.

This is also the quick thinking that helps Henderson at the Small Business Development Center in Kokomo. Henderson gives business advice to many small business, including Randy Fletcher at the Kreole Kid. Henderson also came out on Monday to help Fletcher make sandwiches for the volunteers and spectators.

Henderson has been at several of the events leading up to the build as well. He came to the pre-production press conference as well as the Hallmark Homes march to the build site. His attendance Friday and fast thinking will likely be his biggest influence on the Extreme Makeover build.

By Dawn Fluhler

The “Extreme Makeover” hasn’t just been for the Cowan-Brown family. The show has reached out into the community and the Family Service Association Domestic Shelter in Kokomo is getting a new roof because of it.

In conjunction with the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” project, Hallmark Homes contacted United Way’s coordinator of community volunteers Cheryl Graham to find out what community projects needed to be completed. Graham suggested three agencies that could benefit, including the domestic shelter.

The shelter was built in 1985 and still had its original roof, according to program coordinator Pam Isaac. Beginning last Wednesday, volunteers and contractor started working on the shelter.

“Oh my word,” Isaac said. “They came here and have painted, carpeted, landscaped and now a new roof is going on.”

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By Tiffany Holbert

Anyone that has been at the build site this week during lunch or dinnertime knows where the Kreole Kid trailer is. Randy Fletcher, owner of the Kreole Kid LLC, has donated more than 1,200 meals to volunteers, workers and spectators this week.

“Everybody’s said it’s the best food out here,” Fletcher said.

The Kreole Kid is an onsite catering business specializing in southern style barbecue and Cajun cuisine.

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By Eric Hultz

It’s important to keep warm as the weather has dipped near freezing temperatures at morning and night. On The Way Deli and Market has been battling the cold by handing out warm food and drinks to help all the volunteers and spectators.

“Hot chocolate has definitely been the most popular,” Kayligh Enyeart of On The Way Deli and Market said.

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By Eric Hultz

With the economy in the state that it is in, it has impressive to see so many people donating their time and money to help others. Blakely’s Designer Floors is another example of generosity in this build.

Blakely’s has been working with Hallmark Homes for years. When Hallmark asked if they would help, they were thrilled to join in.

“It’s more important then ever to help out those in need,” Kathy Sloan of Blakely’s said.

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By Eric Hultz

Building a house requires a lot of people, and with a lot of people comes a lot of stomachs that need to be filled. That’s where people like Patrick Butterly come in.

Patrick Butterly, General Manager of Ruby Tuesdays of Kokomo, has been at the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build site for the past four days to help feed people in the VIP tent. His franchise owner was first contacted about helping out and said yes without any hesitation.

“We like to give back as much as possible. We would have done it no matter if it was for one day, four days, or 20 days. We would do what ever it took to be involved,” Butterly said.

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By Eric Hultz

A new house can create a number of financial issues that people might not be ready for. First Farmers Bank and Trust have stepped up to help the Cowan-Brown family out with some of them.

The Cowan-Brown are clients of First Farmers, so when the bank found out that the family had been chosen for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” not only did they jump at the opportunity to donate money to help the family but also wanted to donate their time, according to Trade Powell.

First Farmers has had four or five people here every day of the build helping out. They have been painting, moving materials and doing what ever they can to help. Beth Tilley of First Farmers has volunteered her time to help out.

“It’s been great to see the community come together to help this family,” Tilley said.

Hopefully, with the help of First Farmers Bank and Trust, the stresses of owning a new home won’t be too hard on the Cowen-Brown family.

By Eric Hultz

It takes a lot to build a house in a week, and not surprisingly, a lot of planning begins months before the actual build. That’s where Kato Smith of Kato Design Studio comes in.

Paul Schwinghammer first approached Smith to help with the build. Smith worked with both the producers of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and Hallmark Homes to help design the house and landscaping.

Asked why he wanted to get involved with the build, Smith said, “We are all given gifts and you should use them to help others when given the chance.”

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By Eric Hultz

This isn’t Cheri Semples first time at an “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” site. She volunteered at the Indianapolis build a couple of months ago. She is back once again, this time with fellow co-worker Mikki Perrine representing Homemade Gourmet. Homemade Gourmet is donating $200 of meal products to help the family.

Volunteering is not only important to both Semples and Perrine, but to Homemade Gourmet. Homemade Gourmet is donating food to every “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build this year. With the mission of bringing the family back to the table, they hope that they can help even after the construction is done and things have settled down. With how busy people are these days, it can be hard for a family to find the time to sit down to a homemade dinner. Studies have shown that children are better off if they sit down to the dinner table at night for a good, home-cooked meal.

Once the construction crews and the cameras are gone, with the help of Cheri Semples, Mikki Perrine and Homemade Gourmet, the family will be able to sit down to a nice family dinner and spend some quality time with one another.