Didiayer's Extreme Makeover Blog

This week’s episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is about the gift of giving and how one family inspired a whole community to give big!

Located on the northern Gulf of Mexico is the warm and friendly port town of Mobile, Alabama. It’s the type of place where neighbors treat each other like family and barbequing on the weekends is the norm. However, due to its geographical location, Mobile’s subtropical climate is prone to major storms and hurricanes. In 2005, the city was struck by Hurricane Katrina, one of the most deadly hurricanes in the history of the Unites States. Hurricane Katrina’s 175 mph winds tore apart towns across seven states destroying much in its path. This category five Hurricane left thousands of people homeless, animals displaced, and tragically took 1,836 lives. The town of Mobile was just one of many communities devastated by its deadly blow.

Steve and Lydia Gaudet and their six boys Joseph, Christopher, Thomas, Patrick, Michael, and Peter were just one of thousands of families who were affected by Hurricane Katrina’s destruction. All members of the family were blessed to escape untouched. However, their fifty year old home took a major beating by the unleashing of this deadly storm. Nevertheless, the damage did not stop the Gaudet family from lending a helping hand to less fortunate members in their community. Soon after the Hurricane died down, Steve and his family helped with disaster relief. Lydia specifically worked with children who lost everything in the storm and the Gaudet boys went around the community to help clean up front yards as well as do repair work. Steve explains that despite the problems with their own home, reaching out and helping others is something that he and Lydia have instilled in their boys. He said, “Family is not just our immediate group. Family is the community, family is the nation, family is everyone, and you have to give of yourself in order to have family.”

Even before Hurricane Katrina swept through Mobile, Steve and Lydia had been in the forefront of community service for years. A big part of their inspiration came when their son Peter, now nine years old, was born with Down Syndrome. Lydia used this unique opportunity to reach out and help other parents with children who have Down Syndrome. She began volunteering for United Cerebral Palsy and at the Down Syndrome Society of Mobile. She is also the volunteer coordinator for Easter Seals, where she teaches free parenting and literacy classes. Steve is an active member for the city of Mobile who frequently helps with various fundraising efforts and is a Camp Counselor for Delta Camp (A Christian camping experience for elementary aged children), as well as a volunteer at Habitat For Humanity.

For the past six years, their son Christopher has volunteered at Camp Smile-A-Mile, an organization dedicated to brightening the lives of children and adults with special needs, much like his brother Peter.

Over the years, Steve and Lydia have focused so much on helping others that their house simply took a back seat, especially after Hurricane Katrina. To make matters worse, the home suffered from a small fire, which only added to the list of repairs the house desperately needed. Severely neglected, their home has started to show signs of stress and structural damage. Everywhere I looked, I noticed problems. From a leaky roof to an insufficient bathroom, collapsing kitchen, unstable flooring, and evidence that load bearing beams were sinking. It was clear to me that this family needed and deserved our help.

Inspired by the gift of giving, this week I join team leader Ty Pennington and design team members Ed Sanders, Johnny Littlefield, and Michael Maloney in a mission to give back to the Gaudet family.

Giving big meant we needed a lot of volunteers and a building firm who could take on the challenge. We had no problem rallying up either! In fact, the community of Mobile and many volunteers from other neighborhoods drove miles to lend a helping hand. For Frank Lott Jr. and Frank Lott III of Heritage Homes, the decision was an easy one to make. The father and son team have built over 2,400 homes and when they got together with their team to discuss the idea of building a house in seven days, they all said, “yes” to the challenge. Frank senior explained it like this. “The Gaudet family is one special and deserving family. It’s an honor to follow the Gaudet family’s example of giving and service to others.”

Working a long side these men and women, I felt such an overwhelming sense of pride. Their commitment throughout the humid days and thunderous nights sent a strong message that when one gives - one is really receiving.

As the week progressed so did the spirit of giving. Frank Lott, III, president of Heritage Homes, decided to repair and make some improvements to an elderly handicapped neighbor down the street from the Gaudet’s. When I found out what Frank was doing, I had to go and see what was going on. Frank informed me that the homeowner recently paid a handy man to repair the damage the house took from Hurricane Katrina. Instead of fixing the house, he took the money and left town. Without hesitation, Frank, and his team decided to step in and lend a helping hand. Within a matter of days, we went from one building project to two! It set the bar even higher for all of us that week. Motivated by the power of giving many people joined Frank to repair the handicap ramp in the front yard. As well as sand and restore the siding of the home and add in new landscaping. After pitching in, it was evident to me that the Gaudet’s message was known loud and clear.

Where there is need, let us all help and experience the joy of giving.

It was a powerful week. One I will never forget. Hurricane Katrina’s force may have been powerful, but I learnt the power of giving and helping others in the end is even stronger.

My hope is that this week’s episode will inspire the giver in you and encourage you to reach out and help someone in need.

To learn more about how you can help families like the Gaudets in your community. Go to ABetterCommunity.com.

How about change? Do we all have the ability to embrace change?

Well, my friends, it is not important to answer that for anyone other than ourselves as individuals. This week's episode illustrates there are many who believe change is possible.

Set in the hills of Fairmont, West Virginia, Richard and Angie Turner are ideal role models of what it means to 'turn your life around for the
better.' Throughout their youth, life dealt the couple extreme challenges that could have very well set them far from where they are today. However, through much strength and determination both Richard and Angie's lives are now dedicated to helping and educating people to lead a healthier life through positive change.

When the couple married in 2003, Angie and her children Desmond, Theresa, and Tyron learned first hand what it means to embrace change by opening up their hearts and home to Richard and his daughter Layton. However, their compassion didn't stop there. The couple soon adopted Richard's 13-year-old cousin Michael, who was facing a rocky path. Change is something this blended family embraced and quickly achieved together.

Richard and Angie are not only devoted parents, but they are also dedicated role models to many children in the Fairmont community. They both mentor and motivate at-risk kids to stay off the streets, through counseling and sporting programs, which has proven successful for this compassionate couple. In addition to their community services, Richard and Angie are care takers to the mentally challenged, aiding them to gain independence.

With the focus often directed toward others, Richard and Angie's house has definitely taken a back seat. Allow me to just say, it was time for the family home to change!

As we drove toward the Turner's, we quickly realized that the bus wasn't
going to make it up the steep road before us. So, Tanya, Eduardo, Ed, Ty and myself set out on foot and hiked up to the house. As we rounded the corner of their street, I set my eyes on a small run down looking structure. I couldn't believe it when Ty said, "That's the Turner's home." I knew in that moment that not only were the Turners deserving of our help, they needed our help. It was hard for me to grasp that a family of seven were sharing such a small space.

On closer inspection, you could see why the Turner's 600 square feet home was desperately in need of change. In addition to it being small, the structure was literally rotting around them. Cabinets in the kitchen were falling off, the flooring was unstable and to sit in the living room as a family was a challenge in and of itself.

It felt so good to know we were now going to reverse the roles and make
a difference in their lives. However, changing the lives of a family in
seven days is not possible without the help of a building firm that knows and believes in what they are doing. With over twenty years of experience, Huffman Corporation is the finest building company in the state and they took on the challenge with great pride. Wayne Huffman, Mark Ell, Roy Mooney and their committed team exceeded all our expectations.

As the week progressed so did the weather. We faced rain, sleet, and snow but that didn't stop us, or the generosity of volunteers. First mission: Pave a new road so we could have access to the house for construction. If the bus couldn't make the turn, you can bet the builders were going to be in trouble too. This is where the City of Fairmont stepped in. They appealed to the Governor and brought the state together to re-pave and re-build the road, helping the entire neighborhood to get access up the hillside. We could not have completed our task without them. The number of people that came together in
respect and appreciating for the Turner family amazed me. I remember one morning working along side a volunteer in the snow and I asked, "Why are you here today?" What I got back in return warmed my heart dearly and inspired me to get Teresa and Layton's rooms just right. The man simply said, "Richard made me believe in the possibility of change. Since I met him, my life has changed for the good. Now it's time for me to help make a change in his life."

What we achieve in a week is quite remarkable. It stirs up courage and
commitment in so many lives. Sometimes I wonder, is it the family who is being blessed or is it us in fact who receive the most from the experience. The Turner family has definitely created an impact in their community and their story encouraged me to question what positive changes can I make in my life.

I hope this week's episode inspires you to make changes in your own lives and community. To learn more about how you can help change the lives of people like the Turner's, click here.

ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition airs Sundays at 8 pm/ET

Greetings, my name is Didiayer Snyder. It is my pleasure to share with you about this past week's episode.

Upon receiving the news that I had been chosen to join the design team on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I felt the immediate warmth of joy in my heart. To have arrived at a platform of such grandeur, much like the families for which the show exists, I was beside myself.

Having found such an optimal outlet for which to express my compassion for others, and at the same time effectively employ my skills as a designer and carpenter helping make someone else's life less burdensome, truly allows me to feel as if I'm the one receiving.

Set along the Atlantic Ocean, the town of Milbridge, Maine, boasts some of the most breathtaking views and the best lobster bisque in the world. It's the type of town one dreams of raising a family in. A picturesque location many long to visit and explore.

For this episode, I joined team leader Ty Pennington and team designers Paul DiMeo, Eduardo Xol, and John Littlefield in a race against time to help transform the lives of one very deserving family. Ron and Brittany Ray-Smith and their three children Bayley, Thomas and little Jo-Jo had no idea we were on our way!

At first glance, the Ray-Smith's 100-year-old home looked comfortable in its setting. However, upon closer inspection I could see exactly why Ty brought us here. The family has been dealing with many structural and hazardous issues. For instance, a failing septic tank and furnace, a leaking roof that has led to water damage, as well as antiquated piping and wiring. Oh, and not to forget a few ghosts that have no problem making their presence known!

Upon meeting the Ray-Smith's, it was obvious that parents Ron and Brittany are doing a wonderful job of raising their growing family. Both are school teachers and over the years have helped improve the lives of many students and families in their community. But despite their zest for life, Ron and Brittany are dealing with more than structural struggles. Ron and their eldest child Bayley both have Hyperlipidemia (extremely high cholesterol) and their second child Thomas suffers with Autism. It's been hard for the family for some time now due to their collapsing house and medical bills in the thousands of dollars. So, I was glad when Ty finally said, "Good morning, Ray-Smith family."

Ty and I ripped through the home salvaging any wood we could recycle for the new house. I even got creative and took some of Bayley's pink bedroom flooring for my building projects. You¹ll have to tune in to see what we did with the materials we reclaimed from the house!

Building the Ray-Smith's new home would not of been possible without the commitment of Broughman Builders, Inc. Mike and Daisy Wight of Ellsworth Maine (owners of Broughman builders) have been in business for over thirty years and are highly respected in the building industry. Without them, their committed team members and the large number of volunteers we had, none of this would have been possible. In fact, I think the whole town of Milbridge was out there supporting us as we raced against the clock. I felt such an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards all the men and women who worked with us through the rain and muddy conditions. I can't emphasize enough how valuable each and every volunteer and community member was on this build. They were all heroes in my eyes. Because of them, the Ray-Smith family now has a beautiful Bostonian house they can call home for generations to come.

I am so honored to be apart of a show that helps change the course of family's lives. My heart is filled with such joy when I think of the human spirit and how alive it is in this great nation. It's the most gratifying feeling to stand out the front of someone's home and say, "We are here for you."

What we achieve in a week is quite remarkable. Not only do we provide families with a safe place to call home, we create memories that last a lifetime. This memorable feeling also reaches beyond the gates of the family's house. It touches towns and motivates people to pull together to make a greater difference in their own communities.

Never have I been so moved by my skills as a designer and carpenter until the day I saw the look on the Ray-Smith's families faces when they saw their new home for the first time. There is nothing more fulfilling then to be doing what it is you love and then to see others benefit from it so greatly.
It was an incredible day for the Ray-Smith family and for the community of Milbridge, Maine.

If you would like to find out how you can help people like the Ray-Smith family in your community, log on to abettercommunity.com.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed being apart of the "Extreme family" for the first time!

ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition airs Sundays at 8 pm/ET.