LENA, Ill. - Volunteers have been coming from Iowa, northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin to help build a home for the Stott family near Lena, Ill.
Yes, they came to be a part of ABC television's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" project, but they also came to help their neighbor and be part of a community effort.
"The last five letters in 'community' are 'unity,'" Donna Hornung, Lena, said. "This is a real blessing for this family."
Volunteers, contractors, film crews and fans of the television show have been coming to rural Lena since last Wednesday to build the Stotts a new home. The structures were to be completed Sunday, with the family returning from a provided vacation on Wednesday to "reveal" their new home.
Some of the volunteers and spectators know the family.
Hornung, her daughter, Kristin, and Pam Becker know the Stotts and they couldn't be happier for the them and for what it means for the town.
"It's exciting to have this happen in your back yard," Becker said. "This is awesome."
But most of the volunteers who put in long hours to get the house completed in the designated 106 hours, didn't know the family.
Kyle Pospischil, Freeport, and college friend Matt Rokes, came from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, to help for a few hours over the weekend.
"We just got here," Pospischil said Friday with a smile as he waited for the volunteer bus that would take them to the work site. "We'll do whatever we can."
There was a spirit of helpfulness at the building site.
Deanna Fink, Lanark, Ill., spent Friday afternoon helping wherever she was needed.
"This is a wonderful cause," she said. "I wanted to do anything I could to help anyone out."
Amy Schubert, Shannon, Ill., said some people thought she volunteered to see some Hollywood celebrities, but she and most others came to help the Stotts.
She spent about eight hours passing out food and water to other volunteers.
"I want to put in as much time as I can," she said.
The Stott family, Joey, Phillip, and their three children Kaila, 18, Jonathon, 16, and Michael, 15, were notified last Wednesday they would be featured on the television show, which builds home for people.
The Stotts live on U.S. 20 between Freeport and Stockton west of Lena. The area of the highway around the site has been closed since Wednesday to accommodate the workers and equipment.
The Stotts' home was destroyed by fire in the spring. Since the fire they've lived in a one-bedroom trailer.
The Stotts were selected for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" following nomination for the program by area family friends. Hasken Construction, an Illinois-based building firm and a team of volunteers were asked to help the Stott family.
They will return to Lena from a family vacation, provided by the television show, this week and will be able to see their completed new home.
Yes, they came to be a part of ABC television's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" project, but they also came to help their neighbor and be part of a community effort.
"The last five letters in 'community' are 'unity,'" Donna Hornung, Lena, said. "This is a real blessing for this family."
Volunteers, contractors, film crews and fans of the television show have been coming to rural Lena since last Wednesday to build the Stotts a new home. The structures were to be completed Sunday, with the family returning from a provided vacation on Wednesday to "reveal" their new home.
Some of the volunteers and spectators know the family.
Hornung, her daughter, Kristin, and Pam Becker know the Stotts and they couldn't be happier for the them and for what it means for the town.
"It's exciting to have this happen in your back yard," Becker said. "This is awesome."
But most of the volunteers who put in long hours to get the house completed in the designated 106 hours, didn't know the family.
Kyle Pospischil, Freeport, and college friend Matt Rokes, came from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, to help for a few hours over the weekend.
"We just got here," Pospischil said Friday with a smile as he waited for the volunteer bus that would take them to the work site. "We'll do whatever we can."
There was a spirit of helpfulness at the building site.
Deanna Fink, Lanark, Ill., spent Friday afternoon helping wherever she was needed.
"This is a wonderful cause," she said. "I wanted to do anything I could to help anyone out."
Amy Schubert, Shannon, Ill., said some people thought she volunteered to see some Hollywood celebrities, but she and most others came to help the Stotts.
She spent about eight hours passing out food and water to other volunteers.
"I want to put in as much time as I can," she said.
The Stott family, Joey, Phillip, and their three children Kaila, 18, Jonathon, 16, and Michael, 15, were notified last Wednesday they would be featured on the television show, which builds home for people.
The Stotts live on U.S. 20 between Freeport and Stockton west of Lena. The area of the highway around the site has been closed since Wednesday to accommodate the workers and equipment.
The Stotts' home was destroyed by fire in the spring. Since the fire they've lived in a one-bedroom trailer.
The Stotts were selected for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" following nomination for the program by area family friends. Hasken Construction, an Illinois-based building firm and a team of volunteers were asked to help the Stott family.
They will return to Lena from a family vacation, provided by the television show, this week and will be able to see their completed new home.