When your publisher makes a request, you: a) tremble, b) shelve the idea, c) laugh, d) none of the above. I chose option “d”. Whit asked for my perspective on the Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s (EMHE) project in our valley for The McPhail Family. Humbly and sincerely, I will attempt to portray in words what I saw with my eyes, felt in my body and experienced in my heart.

A Cast of Thousands
By now, most of my readers have seen images or heard about the hundreds of volunteers, skilled and unskilled, who worked at the Coker Butte Road building site in northeast Medford. I was told by more than one designer and design crew member that our valley responded with double the volunteer participation requested by EMHE, approximately 5,000 people offered their services (to my understanding). They also related that the generosity of donated goods and services was also unparalleled among the 200 home make over projects completed to date.

Thousand of volunteers for Extreme Makeover

What did volunteers do? Men and women worked shifts throughout a 24-hour period, sweating and straining in near triple-digit heat. I appreciated women who cheerfully showed up at regular intervals with ice cold bottled water, juice, sodas and blended coffee drinks as well as filling requests for food or snacks. The project would not have been completed without their efforts! Other volunteers came by regularly to clean up trash. Skilled laborers and artisans implemented the EMHE design team’s vision.
Cheerfulness, appreciation, support and encouragement were heard everywhere I went. Focus and determination were observed on workers’ faces. Real-time problem solving, resourcefulness and team work among strangers and friends were key ingredients. Respect for the talents and efforts of each person was abundant.

A Peek Behind the Lens
As an interior designer/decorator and artist, it was an amazing privilege to glimpse the world of the two key designers of this beautiful home. When the episode is aired, I believe you will see the heart and soul of Kara and Travis’ design elements. As unique elements were put in place, my heart began to explode with joy. When I was treated to the stories behind some of the artful and soulful design elements, I “got” who these talented designers are as human beings. Every family member was honored through generous design touches that are functional, fun, beautiful, soulful and spiritual. A new home shell became a place to dwell.
Unfortunately, I cannot speak definitively to the structural, environmental and landscaping elements of the project. What can be said is that the McPhail Family home was designed and built for long-term function and beauty – not just a pretty picture for the TV camera.

 

 

C.J. McPhail’s parents and designer Carmern Whitlock

 

The Advance Work
Long before the news media caught wind of the project, a Jacksonville resident began raising money for a project and people they could not disclose to donors. Another team of women began organizing human and design resources for the V.I.P. hospitality tent. Ark Built Construction and Thornton Engineering threw their teams into logistical and structural planning.
Businesses began committing resources to the project before anyone ever showed up at the site.

Reflections
Whatever faith belief system a volunteer, fund-raise or donor brought to this project, here is a truth that struck me profoundly – one that I saw visibly lived out. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is true worship.” Romans 12:1, Today’s New International Version.

My lasting impression of this project is it was the longest sustained worship service I’ve ever witnessed. If worship means “to ascribe worth,” then great worth was expressed through compassion, creativity, toil and generosity.

I have never been more proud and happy to be part of the Rogue Valley. Contractors who routinely compete for projects worked side by side. Tradesmen and artisans, currently employed and unemployed, came together to apply their skills and camaraderie. Men and women, young and old, worked side by side. New friendships were created, old ones were strengthened.

A home was built for a single family. And, a deeper sense of community was built for all of us to enjoy. If you missed this opportunity, consider volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Rogue Valley or other local charitable work.
Cheryl von Tress Design specializes in homes, offices, gardens and cafés. www.cvtdesign.vpweb.com 541.899.2824