Wow!  What a week!!  As we blogged about a couple weeks ago, ADORE was asked by Ark Remodeling and Construction to be a part of the Extreme Makeover Home Edition in Gainesville this past week and what an amazing adventure it was!  Here are a few highlights from the week!

Day 1: Right after the “Braveheart” Walk where all the builders and team walked up to the house to see the family and surprise them.  And we learned a little about how the production crew makes it all happen.

The Wagstaff Family in front of the UF band that surprised them on the morning of Dec. 7th.  What a deserving family they are!!  Read more about their work here.

Amazing volunteers and builders coming together to work tirelessly, even in the rain.

“Move that bus!”  The family is home and excited to see their new house as Ark Remodeling and Construction talks to them about the build.

We were thankful to be a part of it and also had a blast at the Wrap Party we planned for the last night after move that bus.  Thank you to Sharab Lounge for your generous donation to hold the event.  Thanks to Swamp Head Brewery for your generous donation and being a part of the event at the last minute.  The amazing decor by The Event Divas was adored by everyone at the party and we’re so thankful for Susan’s hard work.  A HUGE thanks to Unique Designs for the quick creation of the ‘construction inspired’ design for the wrap party invites!  Check them out!

As most of you have heard, Extreme Makeover Home Edition is in town this week.  Ark Remodeling and Construction is the lead build team to make it all happen.  It’s time for Gainesville to give back.  Amongst the amazing volunteers who are giving of their time and many other things, let’s all take some time this week to “give back”.  Here are some opportunities you can be a part of.

-TOY AND BOOK DRIVE
New/unwrapped toys and books for the children of the Wagstaff Family.  Gift Certificates are also welcome.  Today is the last day to give, so stop by any of these 4 locations to give a gift.   Giggle  Magazine, Spa Royale, Gainesville Dermatology Associates, McCalister’s Deli.

-BLOOD DRIVE:  LifeSouth, Ark Remodeling, City of Gainesville and Alachua County, along with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, have teamed up to host blood drives during this build.

So in the spirit of community, you’re encouraged to roll up your sleeves and donate blood during the weeklong build. Our goal is to register 1,000 donors. All donors will get a Limited Edition Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Blood Donor t-shirt.  LOCATION DETAILS

-FOOD DRIVE:  Visit any of the local BBVA Compass Bank locations and donate
non-perishable food items between December 7th and December 14th!

All donations are very much appreciated.

Most people have been touched by Adoption in some form or another through friends or with in their own family.  To us, adoption is very close to our hearts and we are always thankful to be a part of the events with The Children’s Home Society.   Thank you to The Children’s Home Society for allowing us to be involved as the official event planners of the Gainesville Celebrate Adoption.  Fortunately for the children, this was the best turnout with over 355 people.   We would love to hear your story!

Check out some of the photos that Footstone captured while at the event.

It was a joy to see other vendors who came out to participate.  Thanks to:  Gator Dominos for providing the pizza, TCBY for the ice cream, KCountry for the music and announcements, CocaCola for the drinks, and for SkateStationfor providing the space, skates, and willingness to work with this amazing event.
Thank you to all the parents and children who came out.  We hope you had a great night!!