Hammers clang, drills buzz and dirt flies as hundreds of area volunteers, clad in blue shirts and white hard-hats, perform their duties at rapid speed. In the midst of the construction work, large video cameras roll in closer, and television executives speak into their headsets as they rush between trailers.
Across the street, hundreds of local residents wave, cheer and snap pictures.
Welcome to Friday’s workday of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” located in Chapman, Kan.
“EMHE” chose to rebuild the home of Patrick and Crystal Tutwiler, their four children and nephew. Doug Thompson, area coordinator for the project, said Patrick is disabled from the war in Iraq, and their modest home was destroyed in the June 11 tornado. The team of producers and volunteers, totaling more than 3,000 people, has been rebuilding the home since Nov. 11.
Trent Dunlap, supervisor of Rothwell Landscape in Manhattan, volunteered on the set of “EMHE” on Friday. Dunlap said the local volunteers and TV crew are working around the clock to complete the project in seven days.
“It’s pretty amazing to see so many people work overnight and put in their time to get everything done,” he said.
Reben Luna, roofer from Olathe, Kan., said he worked from 9 a.m. Thursday until 4:30 a.m. Friday.
“We are very tired, but we are happy,” Luna said. “We are glad to be able to help these people because they need it.”
Luna said he especially liked seeing the large numbers of people uniting for a good cause.
“It’s nice to see everyone work together for one reason — to help people,” Luna said. “We need more shows like that, to help people around the country.”
In addition to helping the Tutwiler family and Chapman community, many volunteers were spotted going out of their way to help each other.
Jeff Burton, building co-manager for American Dream Development in Junction City, said he was impressed by the respect between workers of different trades.
Burton said at 3 a.m. Wednesday, it was the plumber’s turn to work with the pipes, but a concrete worker accidentally caught his string-line around the main pipe the plumber needed.
He said though concrete workers would rather reuse the string, a plumber would normally just cut it off and throw it away for his own convenience. However, this plumber went above and beyond.
“The owner of the plumbing company took the time to pull about 200 feet of string-line from underneath the pipe, and he gave it back to the concrete guy,” Burton said. “That never happens - never. The spirit of the build is taking over.”
Marietta Lucas, Chapman resident and president of the City Clerk and Municipal Finance Officers Association of Kansas, said that spirit flows from the top down.
Lucas worked with many of the “EMHE” executives and television personalities during the preliminary processes, and as she described their character, tears ran down her face.
“They are some of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with,” she said. “They truly do portray what the show is all about. They’re a breath of fresh air.”
Judy Blixt, Chapman resident and owner of Irish Acres Addition in Chapman, said there is a deeper reason for the production team’s vision and kindness. She said since the executive producer of “EMHE” contacted her more than a month ago, she has gotten to know many of the show’s directors and celebrities.
“They’re very humble,” she said. “They feel like they’ve been given a mission and that there’s a higher power. They talk about God a lot. They’re very spiritual, and they feel they’ve been led to do this.”
"Extreme Makeover: Chapman Edition"
Published: Monday, November 17, 2008
Updated: Monday, November 17, 2008
 "Photo: Chelsy Lueth")
Chelsy Lueth
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