By Logan Braman

A new house wasn’t all the Cowan-Brown family received during the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build. The children, Ryan, Trevor, Mason and Kori, also received a gift from Ball State University.

The day after the build was finished, the Cowan-Browns met in their new front yard for a press conference with a twist. Tony Proudfoot, associate vice president for Marketing and Communications at Ball State, came to the build site on behalf of President Jo Ann Gora. The news he carried was a shocker to the Cowan-Brown family.

“If you continue to work and study hard and if you apply and are admitted to Ball State University, we will provide each of you with a scholarship to support the full cost of tuition for in-state students,” Proudfoot told the family. “Working through the Ball State Foundation, we will supplement any state or federal gift aid to cover tuition.”

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By Rhett Umphress

Jayson Manship is the director of operations at URBaCS. Along with partner and president Rob Wagoner, they are 50/50 partners of their technology and software company that works with small to mid-size businesses on their Web site, social media, blogging…basically all the online aspect that a company needs today.

URBaCS became involved in the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build when Derek Wilder, CEO of Hallmark Homes, called him and asked him to work on the build as a media liaison. They asked him to put together a social media strategy for Hallmark.

This is not URBaCS’ first build. The duo worked on the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build in Indianapolis along with Estridge, the construction company that worked on the Indy home. When Wilder went to Estridge looking for people that had experience at that build to help in Bunker Hill, they recommended URBaCS. URBaCS had worked with Hallmark before and was willing to join the numerous sponsors that the construction company was recruiting.

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By Dawn Fluhler

Maconaquah School District assistant superintendent Dr. James Callane coordinated the school bus shuttle service between Grissom AFB and the Extreme Makeover build site.

Callane met with “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” location managers a week before the Cowan-Brown build. Together, they devised an inclimate weather transportation plan for the build week. Following the downpour early in the week, the plan was put into effect.

“We had a rotation of bus drivers working three hour shifts,” Callane said. “Since our corporation has four spare buses, we were able to use those buses during the hours when we were transporting students to and from school.”

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By Dawn Fluhler

Bus drivers from the Maconaquah School Corporation drove spectators and volunteers from Grissom Air Force Base to the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build site for five days because of the rain and muddy field parking areas. Buses would run 24 hours a day, shuttling workers back and forth between the two sites.

In total, 27 regular and substitute bus drivers participated in the round-the-clock shuttle service.

“There was such an outpouring of people that we just kept going,” said Karen Grove, a 32-year bus driver with the school corporation.

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When reading through a list of sponsors for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”, an optical group may not be something you would expect. We recently spoke with Guy Laeufer of Dr. Tavel Optical Group, and asked him how he and the Tavel Optical Group became involved.

Laeufer said that they were originally approached by Winnie Schwinghammer from Hallmark Homes and asked to become a sponsor.

“Our contribution was providing eye care to the family until each child is out of college,” he said.

This equates to 15 years total years of eye care, with a retail value of over $30,000. It includes exams and eyeglasses if the doctor prescribes them.

In addition to the family contribution, Dr. Tavel also gave each volunteer and his/her family a 50% discount on eyeglasses for their hard work and for their great volunteerism, Laeufer said.

Dr. Tavel Optical Group is Indiana’s largest and oldest family eyecare professional group. They have been in business for over 65 years in Indiana, with 19 locations throughout the state (and growing)

Doctors of optometry are in each locations performing eye examinations everyday they are open. Several locations have on-site, same-day lab service.

When asked how an optical group could help build a new home, Mr. Laeufer proudly said,  ”On Thursday, I helped set up the flooring of the spectator tent and VIP tent.”

Thank you Dr. Tavel Optical Group and Mr. Guy Laeufer for your generous contribution to the Cowen-Brown Family. There is no match to the creativity and generosity of our sponsors.

Tom Jackson is the owner of Jackson Systems LLC.  Tom said that Jackson Systems donated a complete HVAC zone control system to maintain proper temperatures throughout the house, as well as a UV light and humidifier to ensure clean indoor air.

Founded in 1997, Jackson Systems is an award-winning HVAC company specializing in zone control.

Jackson’s company became involved in the build when asked by their client, T.A. Kaiser, to join them in donating to the family. Jackson said that giving back to the community is very important to his company.

“Being involved in the construction industry and our strong commitment to our local community, helping the Cowan[-Brown] family was a natural fit. We know our zone control and indoor air quality products will insure a comfortable and clean home,” he said.

Tom Jackson’s company is another of the many companies who helped make this build a success.

We recently spoke with Brenda Murr of Mermaid Pool and Spa. This is what Brenda had to say about her experience with the Hallmark Homes build.

“We were first contacted by architect Kato Smith, who had originally designed the complex of our company building. He couldn’t tell us much except that it was a makeover; [he] never mentioned it was ABC. He did ask if we’d be willing to possibly donate some casual furniture to the makeover. Our answer was a quick, and eager ‘yes.’ Later, we would learn it was an ‘Extreme’ makeover near Peru. We were to be part of something big!”

So, on a cold, soggy Saturday, at 7:30 a.m., the Mermaid Pool team loaded up a borrowed box truck (to protect the furniture) for a one hour trip to their ‘Extreme’ adventure. Upon arrival, they were immediately struck by the magnitude of the situation – and the tremendous energy being put forth. Despite horrendous building conditions – rain, storms, cold, bone-chilling wind- one could not escape the energy of those who were participating. As they waited their turn to deliver the furniture to Heather in ‘Bin City,’ they really felt like they became a part of the build.

“What a thrill for us. Although our donation was just a small piece in this large puzzle, we were so proud to be part of it. We hope the family will prosper from the love of all those whom they will never know. We are grateful for the opportunity to help,” Murr said.

This is a video of S. 100 West, the site of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build of a new home for the Cowan-Brown family.

Video by Peter Gaunt

By Dawn Fluhler

As if bookending the entire build, it started to rain again at the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” site in Bunker Hill, Ind. as the Cowan-Brown saw their new house. Here are a collection of shots from the Reveal. For more photos, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/hallmarkhomesinc/tags/thereveal

Kelly Thompson and Annie Britigan take shelter under their umbrellas while cheering during the “Move that bus!” taping.

Many people brought their own signs to wave in support of the Cowan-Brown family – and maybe to catch the eye of the ABC cameras.

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We have posted more pictures from the Reveal of the Cowan-Brown’s new house from Hallmark Homes and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” To see all of the Reveal pictures, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/hallmarkhomesinc/tags/thereveal