Passing on the blessings!
By chunkers
@chunkers (1050)
United States
December 3, 2006 9:21am CST
I am a big fan of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition". The concept of communities pulling resources together to help someone who, otherwise, would not have a chance in life, is AWESOME. I want to pass on the blessings that I have been so fortunate to receive in life, and I want to encourage others to do the same in their own communities. If everyone committed just one hour a week to a worthy cause, i.e. taking food to a homeless person, mowing an elderly person's lawn, shoveling their neighbors' lawn, volunteering time at a rest home, etc, this world would be a better place for everyone. Even better, each community should have a team of skilled volunteers dedicated to changing just one family's life every year, whether that means building someone a new home or renovating an existing home. I know I would be proud to live in that kind of a community! That is why I have started a similar program in my own community. Is anyone else interested in starting this kind of program in their own community?
7 people like this
10 responses
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
12 Jan 07
I think the concept of that show is nice, but in most american home make-over shows, they always end up doing these "theme" rooms that are incredibly tacky/corny! It gives the impressions that America is a giant Las Vegas/Disney World!
There is an initiative here that they call a "time bank". Basically, let's say you had a skill, you can fix stoves. Someone needs their stove fixed, you go to their house and fix it, they pay your time with something else, like taking care of your garden or taking care of someone else's garden (of someone who did you some other favor). I don't know if I explained myself that well. But the basic idea is using time and skills as trade "currency". It's nice, but I don't think I have the time/willingness to take part in such a program. Also, can you really trust complete strangers with access to your home, property, family? Maybe I'm too cynical about trusting people. Maybe not.
2 people like this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
12 Jan 07
split...I live in Oeiras and I have never heard of that program but I find it intriguing. Do you know if they have a branch of it here? It might be something that I could put a few hours into. Where are you located here in Portugal?
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
12 Jan 07
I'm in the Lisbon area. I know of at least one of these "banks", but I think there is more than one operating currently. You can find a list of "agencies" here:
http://www.graal.org.pt/index_ficheiros/BdT_contac.htm
And all the details at: http://www.graal.org.pt/
1 person likes this
@findcutegj (1466)
• India
8 Dec 06
I ve never head of extreme makeover: Home edition. What's that? Whatever it is, sounds great!
2 people like this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
16 Dec 06
It's on ABC, and it's one of my favorite shows.
2 people like this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
16 Dec 06
In our area we have Habitat for Humanity, and they do a wonderful job here. I used to work for a large development company and they always donated services from their construction company branch to help Habitat. They were also very good with volunteering with cleanup and stuff after hurricanes hit here in South Florida. We had a caravan of 40+ cars that went from Ft Lauderdale to Miami to help after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992. We handed out food and clothing and the construction crew cleaned up debris and repaired roofs. It made all of us feel good to help out like that. After Hurricane Wilma hit our area in Oct 2005, we had neighbors help us clean up debris in our yard, and it took 3 days to do it. Our neighborhood is good at helping each other out when needed.
2 people like this
@ShadowWalker (969)
• United States
18 Dec 06
I wish I could volunteer but I'm very limited as to what I can do. You see I'm disabled and I'm in a wheelchair. But it would make my day if there was someone that would come in to keep me company. I spend most of my time alone. Except for when my brother comes over. That's why myLot is so important to me. I get to interact with others and it makes the loneliness a little easier to deal with. Thanks for reading my rant.
2 people like this
@chunkers (1050)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Actually, it takes NO MONEY!! I would start by looking for the nearest Habitat For Humanity chapter in your area. They build houses for low-income families. If you cannot start a program like that, then maybe you can assist in the building of a Habitat For Humanity home!! If you notice, everything on Extreme Makeover is donated by major sponsors. I'm sure there are stores in your area, as well as contractors, who would be willing to help you help someone where you live. Good luck and keep us posted!!
2 people like this
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
12 Jan 07
I already try to do my part. I donate people to the homelesscharity around here and i have also helped them numerous times during holidays. I think a program would be cool though coz more people need to get involved!
2 people like this
@lucy02 (5016)
• United States
8 Dec 06
yes, I think its a great idea. I saw in the newspaper yesterday where there is an "adopt an elderly person" program in our community that I was thinking about doing. It's a great idea, not just at Christmas but all year long.
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
12 Jan 07
I watch that program from time to time here in Portugal on the People & Arts channel. It's not so much the actual work being done that hits me but the reactions of the families when they see the finished product. I agree with you that it does the concept of communities pulling together justice. I am not into charity work here in Portugal for various reasons but I do contribute when I can so that others can help people. I don't think that such a project would be possible here although I have several friends who also watch and comment on the program.
1 person likes this
@mgmagana (3618)
• United States
13 Jan 07
i love that show, i like to c the reality shows that help out people! it's just sad the ones they help out are not only financially unable to provide a good home, but they either lost someone or something has disabled them! i always say i wish they would do my house, but i wouldn't trade any of my family members for a nice house! (maybe my mother in law) lol!! ; )
1 person likes this
@mfrancq (1806)
• United States
16 Dec 06
Now see, and then you asked why I helped you! I knew you had a good heart! Anyways, I completely agree. I don't get out much now, being a stay at home mom. I spend most of my time keeping up on stuff around the house, my son, and this site to make extra money. However, there is this wonderful old lady that lives across the street and I always get her mail for her in the afternoons so she don't have to get out and walk across the street. Then I just spend some time with her. Old people tend to get pretty lonely and it makes them happy when someone visits, especially with a baby.
2 people like this
