This Saturday evening, September 10th, Jacksonville will be turning downtown BLUE for the Big Bus Drive-through! Click here for more information on Shining the light On Autism by “Light It Up Blue.” Autism Speaks is another great Autism resource.

Let’s show the world how COOL Jacksonville is! California Street will be closed on Saturday night from 7-9pm, and the Extreme Home Makeover Bus will be rolling in! They want to film lots of fans cheering on the streets – so let’s show our support.

The family whose home will be totally re-done in “Extreme” style is the McPhails. C.J. and Lindsay McPhail have three children, two of them with autism. The McPhails founded the Sparrow Clubs – an organization that helps children with medical issues and special needs by pairing them with schools that “adopt” them. Read more about this very deserving family at MailTribune.com.

If you’ve been out of the loop, here are some details:

Extreme Makeover Home Edition has selected Jackson County as the place of the 9th episode of the 9th season.

A community Pep Rally was held on September 1, 6pm at South Medford High School gym. 

The “Reveal,” when one lucky family gets the keys to their new home will take place on September 14th. The Home Completion celebration is on September 13.

Ty Pennington with Review Publisher Whitman Parker

Actual show and Season Premiere – Sunday, September 25, 7pm, ABC.

Hands-on community help is needed in several areas: skilled and unskilled labor, materials, caterers, and graphic designers.

Fundraising is also needed – that effort is being headed up by Jacksonville residents Dave & Janice Mills of Airport Chevrolet and Cadillac.

This is a true community effort, and Jacksonville folks have already stepped-up big time! Some locals that we know are already involved and sharing their talents are: Dave & Janice Mills, Airport Chevrolet & Cadillac, Mike Thornton, Thornton Engineering, Melanie Scofield, The Candy Shoppe and Scofield Landscape, Cheryl von Tress, Cheryl von Tress Design, Terra Firma is donating furniture and helping stage the rooms, Jared Murray, Spring Air Inc. and Ken Snelling, Ken Snelling Design Associates. Spring Air is also donating a $1 for every “Like” they receive on Facebook up to $1000! The Jacksonville Fire Department members will be volunteering time for EMS standby during the build.

Please let me know if you’re missing here – or know of anyone else from Jacksonville involved!

Anyone interested in making a financial contribution to the event is encouraged to contact Dave & Janice by emailing Janice@airportchevycadillac.com

The average EHME show takes 2500 volunteers to pull off – please volunteer at www.joinextreme.com/oregon

Also – be sure to Like Extreme Makeover Jackson County on Facebook!