By Lou Borrego, West Haven Development Group
May 14, 2008

When the West Haven Development Group in Reno received the call last December that we were chosen to be part of the Extreme Makeover experience for a family in Nevada, we were stunned, honored and elated to show the entire world what a great community we have, and why we are proud to call Northern Nevada our home.

The family
The Boettcher family has been running a ministry out of their garage east of Reno for kids who have been exposed to drugs, alcohol abuse. Sadly, some children had even committed suicide. The Boettcher’s were not looking for worldwide attention; only help to save the lives of these kids.

The preparation
When the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team made that first call to West Haven and said that we were going to build a custom home AND a new community center on the Boettcher property we said "no problem." When they told us we had less than one month to prepare we said "no worries." When they told us the home and community center had to be 100% donated we said "OK." When they told us we had to build it in 7 days we gulped, but agreed, but when they said it had to be built during the freezing Northern Nevada winter we asked them if they were crazy!

We had 24 hours to let them know if we were up for the challenge; minutes later we called back and told them that, with the help of the entire Northern Nevada community, we will gladly take on this challenge.

Let's get busy
January 11, 2008 came upon us very quickly. Meeting the Extreme
Makeover team for the first time was an amazing experience. I had no idea how many people and how much equipment it takes to put on this amazing TV show.

Arriving at the Boettcher home and watching Ty Pennington and the rest of the designers surprise the family was incredible. It was a very emotional moment to see the family realize we would not only be giving them a new home, but a new way of life.

The family left for Hawaii and then the real fun began ... demolition. The month-long preparation did not have prepared us for the freezing fog and sub-30 degree weather. The concrete wouldn’t set, the framers were fatigued, and at night, we experienced 10 degree weather.

Due to the weather, we were about 30 hours behind schedule. We planned for 1,500 volunteers and within the first two days we knew had to double the volunteers or we were not going to make the schedule.

A community announcement on every radio and TV station went out, and the volunteers came. Many worked all day, volunteered all night, went back to work during the day and then came back at night. I was truly amazed with the amount of volunteers that came out, more than 3,000. To do this for a family they did not know made me proud to be a citizen of this great community.

For those that missed the show, we built the home on time and with the highest quality the show has seen to date.

Looking back
To the Boettcher family, you have thanked us and have been most appreciative of your new home. From the entire community we want to thank you for an opportunity of a lifetime. Everyone was fortunate to get to know you, your family and the great things that you have done for the kids in your community.

Extreme weather, Extreme build, Extreme experience, Extreme memories for a life time! I hope the entire world saw what a great community we have and if not, come visit us ... you may never want to leave!