CLOVIS, CA (KMJ) – “It’s beautiful!” exclaimed Cal Fire Captain Nick Reeder. “This is what we need!”
He was emotional, as he relayed his gratitude for the brand new house that the HGTV Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team constructed for his family in just 96 hours.
KMJ’S Liz Kern has been covering the progress as Cumulus Media had exclusive radio coverage of the big reveal.
During the post-build press conference held outside the house on Tuesday, De Young Properties and the Reeder Family spoke to the public for the first time together since Jesse Tyler Ferguson knocked on their door on Tuesday, July 30th.
Reeder was joined by his mother Jeanine, and daughters Layla, Kelce, and Kaia.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much,” continued Reeder, after the De Young Family, who wrangled the entire building project, and other community members, one by one, gave him their house warming gifts.
The Reeder family story inspired businesses and individuals to come forward with donations for the family, totaling $20,000.
Teary-eyed, the fireman accepted proclamations from Federal, State, County, the City of Clovis, Cal Fire, and Congressman Andreas Borgeas, Congressman Devin Nunes, and Assemblyman Jim Patterson, all given in their honor.
California State University, Fresno presented each daughter with a $2,500 scholarship grant, (provided through privately donated funds and are contingent on the students’ meeting university admission requirements).
Reeder was given preschool tuition for his three daughters until they reach kindergarten, from Brighten Academy Preschool. The Little Gym provided the family a membership until the girls reach 12 years old.
Intrinsic Salon (below) donated six-months of hair services for Nick, the three girls and his mother, Jeanine.
Reeder became a widower in April of 2018, when his wife, Amanda Sawyer, told him she didn’t feel well. She had just delivered their twin baby girls by cesarean and died just minutes later in the hospital.
The fire captain was left to care for the couple’s three children, 4-year-old Layla, and 15-month-old twins Kaia and Kelce.
His mother Jeanine has been living with them, helping Reeder with his duties as a father, while he worked for the state’s fire agency.
She was impressed with the results. “It’s beautiful — done all in a mountain country look. A fireman’s dream as far as the kitchen goes, oh my gosh, it’s all set for a fireman who loves to cook,” said Jeanine Reeder.
The Reeder family will move from their 900 square foot apartment to over 2400 square feet in the beautifully crafted, energy-efficient home.
More than 2,000 local volunteers and hundreds of trade partners joined in the six-day build of the family’s De Young Zero Energy home in The Highlands by De Young community.
“This past week, the greater Clovis community came together and opened their hearts to Nick Reeder and his family, said Ryan De Young, (above) President of De Young Properties. “When you think about what makes our community so special, it is what we witnessed over the last seven days; we saw love and determination, the unwavering brotherhood of fire, committed trade partners, dedication of volunteers and compassion of donors as we came together for one goal.”
Cal Fire showed their support of Nick and his family, by recognizing De Young Properties and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for all their efforts in selecting the Reeder family, leading the building effort and rallying trade partners and volunteers.
The design team of Breegan Jane, Darren Keefe and Carrie Locklyn worked to customize the house for Reeder and his young children.
“I think yesterday, they were very speechless,” said Locklyn, “and I think given them so much for their future, I understand because there is a lot going on.”
“I’m trying to find my room in there. I want to move in,” said Keefe.
Ryan De Young, expressing the homebuilder’s gratitude and appreciation for everyone involved. “Thank you to the community for supporting the vision of De Young Properties, it was the heart, commitment and generous spirit of this community that made this project possible.” Ryan continued, “we at De Young Properties would like to use this community-unifying experience to challenge us all to continue this spirit by volunteering, supporting non-profits, and treating everyone as our neighbor. This project shows the extreme and life changing impact that results when we all work together.”
Reeder said the home was a big piece of the puzzle for them putting their life back together.
HGTV’s spin on the iconic home renovation series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will showcase great stories, inspired volunteers and mind-blowing home renovations for families who give back to their communities. The whole-home overhauls will include interior, exterior and landscaping—all completed within seven days while the family is sent away for the week. A brand new season of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will air on HGTV in 2020.
Click to hear the reports by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
