CLOVIS, CA (KMJ) – The Clovis Extreme Makeover featuring widowed Cal Fire Captain Nick Reeder will air this Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 8pm PST on HGTV.
HGTV’s new Extreme Makeover Home Edition chose the Clovis Cal Fire Captain as the recipient of a brand new home.
Reeder and his family learned the news from reality TV show host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, best known for his role on Modern Family.
Cumulus Media had exclusive radio coverage during the of the big revelation and construction of the house in July and August of 2019.
Cumulus Media Fresno’s General Manager Patty Hixson commented how Cumulus Media was exclusively involved; “I’m so proud that we helped get the word out, create volunteer activity and be onsite to promote this week long build. A special thanks to all our on air staff who worked tirelessly to help ensure the success of this philanthropic promotion. Be very proud of our team and tune into his highly touching episode this Sunday at 8PM!! Enjoy!!”
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.
Reeder’s mother Jeanine had been living with them, helping Reeder with his duties as a father, while he worked for the state’s fire agency.
She was there as he spoke about the gift during a press conference in 2019 held at his apartment’s clubhouse after he was told the good news.
Captain Nick Reeder 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.
“It’s beautiful!” exclaimed Cal Fire Captain Nick Reeder. “This is what we need!”
His mother 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.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition #hgtv in Clovis! @CAL_FIRE Capt. Nick Reeder & his family chosen by @extremehome to receive a brand new house from @DYProperties and other generous Valley companies. pic.twitter.com/wvEJPCRyvT
— Liz Kern (@LiziKernNews) July 31, 2019
KMJ’S Liz Kern was covering the progress as Cumulus Media had exclusive radio coverage of the big reveal from the day that HGTV’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson knocked on their door on Tuesday, July 30th.
Liz Kern: “Can you tell me about the house? I know it’s top secret until the reveal, but any clues? How many bedrooms? What can you say?”
Ryan DeYoung: “This is going to be an amazing home. It’s actually one of our DeYoung floor plans that we tweaked perfectly just for the Reeder Family. Every family member is going to have a special space just for them.”
Executive producer Brady Connell tasked Darren Keefe, Breegan Jane and Carrie Locklyn to design the home, tailoring it to the wishes of Reeder and his young children.
“I think …they were very speechless,” said Locklyn, speaking with KMJ’s Liz Kern on location in Clovis, (above with Keefe), “its given them so much for their future, I understand because there is a lot going on.”
The outpouring of love and support was overwhelming for the family as Cal Fire and 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.
Ryan De Young, President of DeYoung Properties, donated the site in The Highlands by De Young community.
“The greater Clovis community came together and opened their hearts to Nick Reeder and his family, said Ryan De Young, President of DeYoung Properties. “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.”
The Reeder family story inspired businesses and individuals to come forward with donations for the family, totaling $20,000. The teary-eyed 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 his family’s 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.
The Reeder family moved from their 900 square foot apartment to over 2400 square feet in the beautifully crafted, energy-efficient home.
“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 interior of the house was kept a secret for months until HGTV’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition show would air the big reveal on March 8, 2020 at 8:00pm on HGTV.
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 report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
