We Did It!

When ABC contacted us to ask if we'd be willing to rebuild a house for a deserving local family, little did we know what were about to embark on by accepting the challenge.

We said "YES" to this project because we believed we were capable of building a perfect home in under seven days. Additionally, we wanted to be a part of this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But what we didn't know was how our entire CBH Homes team would embrace this challenge, along with our amazingly generous building partners.

Many people were a bit skeptical when they realized the scope of this project. But we weren't. Our team dedicated 100% to this project and made sure that every last detail was thought of so that we could achieve what some said was impossible, (they don't call it Extreme Makeover for nothing).

And we did it! WE built this house for the Stockdale's.

Together, we:
-Rallied over 180 Boise Valley companies to join us -Donated 100% of the materials needed to build this house.
-Arranged meals for each and every volunteer builder -Completely dedicated ourselves to this project, this house, this family and this community.

So as CBH Homes turn the keys over to ABC this afternoon so they can add the final touches, we realize how grateful we are to have been part of this amazing ride ­ and not just to say that we built a pretty cool house in less than 7 days (and it is a pretty cool house if we do say so ourselves), but to have witnessed and experienced what being a part of a true community really is.

This project has been championed by ten CBH Homes leaders and they echo my words. They are: Ronda Conger, Serena Clark, Holly Haener, Tara Cheney, Melissa Wilkinson, Mark Waldorf, Brett Hart, Rollo Bird, Tim Behrman And Casey Wittenborn.

Thank you to the entire CBH staff who dedicated themselves to nothing but this project - and thank you to the Treasure Valley for all the blood, sweat and tears that you've given.

Sincerely,

Corey Barton

We Are On Schedule!

It's hard to imagine, but it's true! Thanks to the massive effort, lead by CBH Homes, and supported by the thousands of local subcontractors and volunteers, we are on track to turn the keys to this amazing house over to the ABC team on Tuesday afternoon so they can start moving in the Stockdale's new furnishings. For those of you watching the progression online, we hope you can appreciate the enourmous effort that the Treasure Valley community has put into this project. If you get the chance I encourage you to come out and witness the workers put the finishing touches on the house ... and help us MOVE THAT BUS this Wednesday!

And, as another testament to the generosity of the community, two events will be taking place over the next couple of evenings to help the family, and our workers:

1. Roaring Springs is offering FREE ADMISSION to all volunteers and crew members Monday night from 8-10:30pm. Admission wristbands can be picked up at the volunteer check-in/staging area.

2. The Middleton community is planning a Family Country Hoe Down on Main St. in downtown Middleton on Tuesday night from 7-midnight. All proceeds of the event will go to the Stockdale family. If you have questions call 585-9270.

Ronda Conger
V.P. CBH Homes

An incredible sight.

It's incredible to see the Stockdale house today. As a designer, one of the
best moments of my job is seeing a design come to life as a home with an
address and a mailbox out front. And this home is special. The amount of
energy on the build site is incredible, but it was a bit of a daunting task
at first when we started the plans because it needed to be a perfect fit for
the Stockdales, and their kids, from the moment they saw it. The entire team
out here feels this way.

Right now, we're on track. But building a home in such a condensed timeframe
adds so many new challenges. There are framers, next to plumbers on top of
electricians--all at the same time. They call it vertical building which
basically means that every 60 minutes or so here at the Stockdale property
equals one day normally. Under these conditions, we find ourselves getting
ahead of schedule for a few hours, and then behind schedule for a couple
hours. But overall, we're right were we need to be. Hats off to each and
every worker out here---and thank you for not hitting me with a hammer.

Everyone is braving the heat and I wanted to say thank you to all the
spectators who are here cheering us on and giving us energy. I love
designing homes for the Boise Valley.

Mark Waldorf, Home Designer, CBH Homes

Show your support!

The ongoing response from the community and the hard work from the volunteers is paying off. The house looks amazing and we just have 3 more days until the family comes home!

The volunteer response has been amazing! We have plenty volunteers as the moment, BUT we still need you! Our crews are out here in 100 degree weather and working 24 hours a day. One of the most important things that you can do is come out and cheer our team on. They are our heros and we need to let them know that we appreciate them. Come show them your support - yell it, scream it, make a sign or two!

One of the biggest battles we have had so far is the intense heat. We want to thank Boise Cold Storage for helping us keep everything cool. Within hours, Boise Cold Storage came and set up equipment to keep the drinks and food ice cold.
Food Sevices of America have been amazing. There are hundreds of volunteers a day, and keeping them fed and hydrated has been a huge task. We couldn't have done it without them. They have organized all of the catering and food service to our crews.
We also want to thank Bodily RV. With our crews being here 24 hours a day, it has been a life saver to have the RVs they donated. It gives our team a place to rest and cool down before they head back out to the job site.

Right now, the show is scheduled to air in October. We are unsure on the exact air date, but we will make sure that we let everyone know when we find out.

Well, it's time to head back out to the job site! Come join us and cheer on our team!

Ronda Conger, Vice President CBH Homes

Demo Day Update

This post is from Joanne Taylor, es/drake public relations. BreAnne Hovley and I are out here helping media get interviews, on-site access, photos….whatever. ABC has been very accommodating to local media, which is making our jobs easy. Most have been able to get interviews with the show’s designers, executive producer, and volunteers. We now have a tent set up for media which is less than 10 feet from the site. And, with an escort, they have been able to get just about anywhere they want to go/film/shoot. Channel 6 and 7 are here right now doing live shots. The Statesman, Press Tribune and Ch. 12 were here for several hours. Most outlets will be covering the build over the weekend so watch for more news online and on the tube.

The action here is now round the clock through Wednesday. That’s reveal day or "move that bus" day. In either case, the family sees the house for the first time that day…which is the moment all of us are working for. (I just ended with a preposition but I’m going to keep going because I’m on a roll.) Thanks to Life’s Kitchen, About Thyme and Berryhill, all of which have cooked for us today. And thanks to whoever brought the ice, sunscreen and bug spray.

The frame goes up tomorrow starting at 5 a.m. Lots of other stuff going on throughout the day….come by and see us.

Joanne Taylor, Public Relations Director, es/drake

Keep em' coming!

The responsiveness of the community has been nothing less than amazing. You have stepped up to the plate in so many ways and we absolutley love seeing so many of you dropping off your donations at our staging area for the thousands of volunteers working around the clock. But we'd love to see some more financial donations for the family to help with medical and housing expenses. If you are willing and able, please go to our donation page and contribute what you can. Thank you again for everyone's involvement and intereste in this worth-while project.

Bridgette Rutz, Donations Coordinator CBH Homes

So Much to Tell!

It is amazing how this community has rallied for the Stockdale family and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. We released news about the build Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and by 3:30 p.m., we had reached our goal of 1,000 volunteers. In addition, we have a long list of local companies that have helped, donating time, materials, water, sunscreen, food, equipment, tents. There are too many to list here but they are listed on the site under “Partners.” I would like to take a moment to mention Equip Rent/Event Rent because they came to our rescue when in dire need.

The number of people who want to give is overwhelming. Corey and I, and everyone else at CBH, sincerely appreciate your help.

It is hot out here so if you come, remember to bring sunscreen and water…and a hat or visor. The spectator area has a good vantage point of everything going on…and it’s all pretty exciting. You’d never believe the set up out here. There is a large field full of trucks and trailers, tents, equipment and materials. Our building partners start very early tomorrow morning, but anyone who would like to look on as a spectator is welcome to arrive at Noon when we will demolish the current Stockdale home.

The media, also, has been incredible. They have stuck it out with us here in the heat and have really captured the essence and importance of this story, helping to fuel donations and support for the family. There’s so much more to tell but I’ve got to break for now…

More to come soon.
Ronda Conger, Vice President CBH Homes