I don't know about you but it seems like just yesterday we were all just waiting for the next day and then the next day and then the next day as we endured rain, wind, snow and lots of extremes until the Big Reveal. Well fast forward a few months and here's the update. First, I had the opportunity to actually go inside the house and let me tell you, it is amazing! Just when I had thought I had seen one of the coolest things, then I went into the next room and the Extreme Team one-upped what I just saw. And this just wasn't one or two rooms -- this was EVERY ROOM! Standing in the house with Ken and Doreen and the kids was a truly emotional experience. OK, I had to tell myself not to get emotional but, of course, my emotions got the best of me. The family is so happy (that's an understatement) and even now, months later, they tell me it hasn't even sunk in yet. So not only did I get the complete tour (wait until YOU see it!), I also had the chance to sit down and talk about it with Ken and Doreen. And did I mention that each and every one of their children were so excited to show me what was so unique and different about their rooms? Even at such young ages, they appreciate the kindness that has been shown to them by perfect strangers and they realize they have been blessed.
So here's some more that I wanted to share with you. Get your calendars out and mark it down because, trust me, you don't want to miss a minute of it.
Beginning Sunday, April 27th, EVERY NIGHT AT 11, we will air a new story about the Silva family and the home of their dreams. Yes, every night on ABC 6 News at 11 beginning one week before the show. And that's just for starters.
Then a week later, Sunday, May 4th, we will begin our exclusive live coverage right off the top of our newscast. Since it's such a special day, we've decided to begin our news rather than 6 pm, instead at 6:30 pm. That's when you'll get you first taste of what's in store for this very exciting night FULL of surprises.
Then beginning at 7 pm through 8 pm, we will have a one-hour live special where we'll see Doreen and the kids and lots of people who made this all happen. Again, surprises galore! It's our way of bringing back the memories, talking with the Silvas since they've settled in, and that's about all I can say for now.
THEN... Drum roll, please.... Extreme Makeover: Home Edition WARWICK airs right here on ABC 6 at 8 pm for one full hour. It'll be your first glimpse of the inside of the house.
But when 9 pm rolls around, don't touch that dial because it is certainly not over by a long-shot.
Beginning on ABC 6 News at 11, we will go back to the house and show you never-before-seen footage of the house and.... well, I can't give everything away!
Then from 11:30 until midnight, it's the ultimate in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition WARWICK. Another 1/2 hour live special that will keep you glued to the set and wanting more. I promise!
That's the schedule for now. I just thought I'd give you all the info you need to know for the big night. Of course, if you have any questions or comments, just click on the Extreme Makeover TAB and then post your comment... and I'm only one click away by email, too, at pmueller@abc6.com
It's the story that not only has changed the Silvas' lives and that of the volunteers, but mine, too. It's a story that every Rhode Islander can be proud of.
I can't believe the Big Reveal is over. The day was one of tears, joy, excitement, and plenty of adrenaline. Hard to believe that one week ago today the Silva family got woken up by Ty and crew and found out they'd be going to Disney World while thousands of volunteers demolished their old house and built the house of their dreams. My favorite moment of the day? 14-year-old Kenny Silva, who lives with autism, cried and hugged his mom in front of 1,500 people and dozens of television news cameras. I mean, how many teenage boys do you know do that? And then we spoke with him one-on-one later on, you could tell this boy was young in body but truly an old soul. The Silva's will be living in their house tomorrow night as the crew of Extreme Makeover needs to do more filming tomorrow, not to mention clean-up the neighborhood. As for me, after 8 full days on the job here, I am tired -- but a good tired. Today, I felt part of something that was larger than life. It was truly inspirational to see the results of perfect strangers coming together for a family most of them didn't even know. And of course, we'll be back tomorrow with more from the family and the clean-up here in the neighborhood. Night for now!
What a beautiful day today! The weather is perfect for all those last-minute touches on the SIlva's new dream home. Everything appears to be right on schedule. It's down to the wire here in Warwick and today we've seen the largest number of people out in the crowd since we've been here all week.
Volunteers finishing up the patio, sodding the yard, putting in the new driveway, and putting up an awesome basketball hoop for the kids. Inside, volunteers are touching up the paint, putting on doorknobs, and having one last walk-through.... Cardi's furniture is delivering a house full of furniture. After all, the 'Big Reveal' is tomorrow. Ken and Doreen Silva and the kids will be arriving sometime between 12 and 3 to find the home of their dreams.
Now we've received so many emails from you, our loyal viewers, throughout the week. Many people wanting to volunteer, donate money, come see the house -- the list goes on and on. But we have received a couple of emails from neighbors who were unhappy about all of the work going on in the neighborhood and how it's disrupted their schedules. When we balanced it all out, we figured 99.9% of the emails were entirely positive. Only a few people said they wanted this to be over. But 86-year-old Mary Murphy, who lives just a couple houses down and has lived there for nearly 60 years says, she is enjoying every last minute of it. Today, her grandkids and great-grandkids came out and built a snowman in front of the house. It holds a sign saying -- Extreme Makeover Home Edition ROCKS!
After all, this is all about sacrifice. Doreen and Ken Silva have sacrificed years and years of their lives trying to make sure every foster child in Rhode Island has a loving home. And don't forget -- the sacrifice of the thousands of volunteers -- some who have been here since day one and have slept a couple hours here and there in trailors. Not to mention, the builder, the contractors, the subcontractors, the sponsors, and the list goes on and on.
Now if you plan on comming down tomorrow for the "Big Reveal," you're strongly advised not to come to the neighborhood -- instead park in the lot at 333 Strawberry Field Road and you can catch a bus that will shuttle you over.
It will be quite the emotional site tomorrow and of course if you can't make it down here, you can watch us on First at 4 at 4 p.m. tomorrow. We'll have all the sights and sounds of the day. You won't want to miss it, and we hope to see you then!
Wow. I can't believe it's Day Six. Only one full day left to go. Now that the exterior of the house is pretty much done and the inside basics are completed, the designers will move in tomorrow and really get cracking. Also tomorrow, the landscaping gets put in and in these temperatures, that should be a challenge. But challenges and extremes are what this is all about. Remember -- a full two-story, 3,000 square-foot house with 5 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths and a 2-car garage will be ready for Ken, Doreen, and the family when they get back for the big reveal. And remember -- that big reveal is Monday between 12 and 3 pm. If you want to come check it out for yourself first-hand, you're advised to park at 333 Strawberry Field Road in Warwick and there will be shuttles there that will take you to the scene. Expect hundreds -- if not thousands -- to be there. And, of course, we will be there and have it 'exclusively' starting at First at Four only on ABC 6 News.
Day Five starts out just like day one with Mother Nature letting everybody know who is in charge! It was windy and rainy Monday but today, snow dominates the scene.
But trust me, that's not stopping any of the volunteers and crew from getting anything done. So far, so good. Everything seems to be on schedule despite the fact that the snow just keeps on coming down. But keep in mind, the crew behind Extreme Makeover Home Edition always has a contingency plan. Luckily, they had the house buttoned up before the snow rolled in so there are no leaks. Most of the work is being done inside today so it seems that everything worked out for the best. Hopefully, you'll be watching us today from the comfort of your home as the snow continues to fall!
Can you say build a house in one day? The crew at Extreme Makeover Home Edition can. From demolishing the 1,000 square foot led-infested home Wednesday afternoon, the volunteers worked their magic by laying a pre-cast foundation early in the morning. What would normally take days only took six hours. Then most of the pre-fabricated pieces were trucked in and crews got busy. By nightfall, the transformation was nothing short of amazing. An entire two-story house in less than 24 hours and by midnight, the entire building was buttoned up so when the snow arrived, none of it could get inside.
It's day three and that means one thing -- "D Day!" That's right. Demolition day here at Extreme Makeover Home Edition. You can just feel the excitement in the air. Today the crew is putting the pedal to the medal. It began with what's called the Braveheart March -- hundreds of volunteers making their way down the street to the Silva's house. After that, a caravan of Ken Silva's colleagues show up driving down the road with their garbage trucks. They head inside to do some demolition of their own. Then what will probably be the strangest thing of all -- watching one of those garbage trucks -- dangling by a crane -- slamming into the house. But not everything goes as planned. The garbage truck didn't do much damage to the house. Instead, it damaged the crane. Of course, the crew has a back-up plan and in come the excavators. Those bad boys make quick work of the Silva's lead infested house -- tearing it down within minutes. Now it's time to REALLY get to work. The clock is ticking and the Silva's have no home. Time to build it. Just four days left to go!
It's Moving Day here at the Silva's house. The movers arrived around ten and they just finished packing up all the family's things and loaded it into the trucks. And try this one on for size. Another company -- volunteers, of course -- came out and picked up all Ken and Doreen's clothes, and all their children's clothes, and are dry-cleaning them and will have them back in their closets when they come home. Now, that is full service.
Today was yet another day of lots of people coming out to volunteer. From the tree service to the movers to the architects to the dry cleaners, it's all one big team effort from thousands of volunteers who only "know" about the Silva's and their crusade for foster kids in Rhode Island. Most of these volunteers have only seen the family right here on ABC 6. And it is just so great to see so many people volunteering their time, their money, their expertise, their supplies... whatever it is... for the family. A collective effort by strangers coming together for one family in need and it's all thanks to Extreme Makeover Home Edition that this is all getting done.
Tomorrow is Demolition Day! The house will be coming down and construction starts on the new house. Stay tuned!
Wow. What can I say? I've been reporting and anchoring stories for 15 yeas all the way from Texas to Boston to Seattle and never have I seen anything like this.
It is a project of monumental proportions. It's truly amazing to see how much work goes into putting this all together and how eager the thousands of volunteers from hundreds of different companies and individuals on their own are to be a part of this. Not to mention, everyone is donating their times, talents, money, project materials, you name it.
Day One started off a little hectic. The weather didn't exactly cooperate but gusty winds and heavy rains are no match for a 'movement' like this.
It was a little after 7 when Ty Pennington and crew showed up at the home of Ken and Doreen Silva and boy, what a wake-up call they got. Mom, Dad, and their five kids didn't even have time to let it all sink in before they were whisked away to the airport for a seven day stay at Disney Wold. Boy! Doesn't that sound nice right now. And while they're gone, there old house will be demolished come Wednesday and when they return, you know what they say if you watch the show -- Move That Bus! -- and when they move that bus, Ken and Doreen and the kids will realize their lives have indeed changed forever.
Ken and Doreen are truly deserving of this. They've been fostering parents for six years now, have adopted three of their own, and want to adopt even more. Can you believe it? One time, they actually had 12 kids in the house. But then the kids tested positive for high levels of led. The family found out their house and the yard was full of lead and with Ken's one-income as a garbage truck driver, they tried but just couldn't do it on their own to fix everything. And when the state came in and threatened to take the kids away because of the dangerous lead levels, that's when Ty and company stepped in.
Stay tuned for Day Two -- moving day. It's great to be out here and witnessing and sharing all the goodness people have in them.
-- Paul Mueller
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