I’ve known Dawn and Emmanuel for over almost 25 years. Congratulations! This honor is well-needed–and well-deserved. What a wonderful, happy family.

Congratulations to this wonderful family!

I hope they get the home of their dreams.

This is a great show. It’s nice to see Hollywood’s Christian side for a change.

I grew up in Webster and would love to volunteer. Do you know how I would go about doing this?

Here is the link with information on volunteering and donating. http://www.extremehomemakeoverstlouis.com

Does anyone know when this episode will air?

I started watching this show years ago, because it involved the building trades and the challenges in renovating existing spaces. Of course, now they do all new homes, but, I keep watching it, because you always meet the most amazing families.

I hope this will make their lives much less stressful.

Oh great, yet another sob story just to get a brand new house. All in the name of ratings!

This is a very loving, hardworking and deserving family! I am so grateful they were chosen for Extreme Home Makeover.

Reply to “City”:

As a parent of a disabled child, I can say with 100% certainty that the Martirez family would choose to keep their house as is in exchange for a miracle of having their children’s disabilities disappearing. Being the parent of a disabled child (or 2) is so much more than a “sob story”.

My guess is you often park in disabled spaces when the parking lot is full.

I hope you need help from someone some day and receive the same kindness you show from your crass and ignorant comment.

@Hi

Ummm, really? A TV show that is probably making its only trip to STL is a reason to bring up the earnings tax?

Sure makes you sound jealous of the family.

Congrts Martinez family!

I am cynical. However, this show is amazing in what they do for people in need. Have they started building? Too bad the loacl ABC affiliate Channel 30 doesn’t have a local news team to cover the story. Did any local news cover the story??

TO City,
Im sure you dont have the faintest idea what it would be like to have a child, much less two with an rare disease and as many challenges as they have. Who cares if the station gets good ratings for their good deed! They are helping a family greatly in need of a new home and Im sure answering so many of the famils prayers.
You are cold-hearted and Im pretty sure you dont see many good deeds come your way.

Nope, I’m sure I won’t see many good deeds. Though I’m not like a lot of these people walking around with my hand out looking for one, either.

For those of you that are under some misguided notion that this show is a ‘charity’ - think again. Do you think Sears gives away a house full of appliances out of the goodness of their heart? No, they’re doing it for publicity. As are all of the other companies with their logo plastered all over that show.

ABC does this under the guise of helping people, but really it’s just a money maker for all involved: ABC (advertisers), Sears (publicity), Lowes/Home Depot, the home building companies. They’re all getting something out of these shows, and it ain’t just a warm feeling. It’s a cold one - cold hard cash.

City,
You’re missing the point. Who cares if it’s for ratings and business. Their getting a new home. If that means someone else makes a buck. Who cares. They are being given something to help them with their children. Shame on you for calling this a sob story. These parents would probably give their own life if it meant their children could be healthy.

I was disgusted to hear the comments from “city.” Who are you to say these people are going around looking for handouts from people? People like you are what is wrong with this world.

When will the construction start?

Hey Scott,
Lots of non-Christians can be helpful and generous to their fellow man. I would venture to guess that there are a few Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, or even Atheists on staff at Extreme Makeover. Just a thought.

Dawn & Emmanuel (Elle, Evan & Alec too) are EXTREMELY deserving. I worked with Emmanuel, they are the ANTI-sob story. They don’t dwell on the fact that their children have these rare diseases. They celebrate the life they have and are very much an inspiration to anyone that knows them. They have FANTASTIC attitudes and never let you see them down. No matter how hard things must get. They are VERY deserving of this. We wanted to sign them up for this, but he left our company before we ever moved forward on this. I am so greatful for whomever nominated the Martirez family. When I found out EMHE was coming to St. Louis, I signed up to help…not knowing who was going to be picked…not really caring…just wanting to help. I’m so blessed to know that I am helping on a family that I know, personally, and believe deep in my heart is the perfect recipient.

Gosh, if i saw Ty yelling so obnoxiously outside my house I would be the first to throw rotten eggs at him. I’m tired of that show. If these home makeovers were not aired they would never get done. It’s all about advertising for the providers of the materials used and for ratings. There always has to be a sob story. It makes for more income for the network. The mention of it being Hollywood’s Christian side just makes it sound even more sick. Me, a non-christian, thinks the godly way of providing a new home for this deserving family would be to do the same thing only without all the yelling and the “look at me !” attitude. Do it because it is the right thing to do, not because you get your face on television.

I am sure the Martinez family deserves help. But it is something they should be getting without a tv show. Would Sears and all the others just pull up, unload, and install appliances without all the cameras ? I don’t think so….

@jimbo -

My point exactly. Habitat for Humanity does the same thing without all of the fanfare and obnoxious media coverage. EHME is just a money making machine for everyone involved.

Congtrats Martirez Family!! We love you guys and are so happy!! Have fun in Disney World, and Evan, make sure and remember the Red Room while your there!!

and, I should add…Habitat for Humanity makes the people receiving the house put in some work and sweat equity of their own. On this show, they get to go to (gasp)Disney World while the crew does their work.

You all did know that Disney owns ABC, right? Yet another fine coincidence.

my staff at my office would like to volunteer, where do we go? the website said they are no longer accepting on-line applications that volunteers should just show up. can anyone offer any information on where we all could go? we are a staff of 15. thank you

This is awesome. It shows prayers can be answered.

People like City are only looking for attention with their snide remarks. Remember what your mother said: Ignore him and he’ll go away. For me, I don’t care that ratings go up, publicity is given, products are advertised. The end result is a deserving family is helped. And because of freedom of choice, those who find it insulting don’t need to watch the show, read the articles written about it or patronize the sponsors/contributors.

Cool story, but I have to agree with Peopleperson re Scott’s “Christian” remark. Since when are good deeds restricted to Christians? Thoughtless comment. This Christian doesn’t appreciate the inference.

What a truly heart warming story.

To the naysayers - this isn’t about you, this is about the Martirez family. Show some compassion, if you capable.

Crabby,

great point about giving someone like city any attention whatsoever. Ultimately a good deed is being done even if someone is profiting off of it. In the end this family will be in a better place once the work is done and they return from what I would imagine is a well-deserved and much-needed vacation. Whoever tries to put a negative spin on this obviously has no clue how difficult it is to raise completely healthy children much less a child with a disability.

Congratulations to this family and I hope ABC, Sears and everyone else gets the highest ratings in the metro area and makes a trillion dollars off of it.

Lets see, sears and other companies giving stuff away for an ABC show and the ABC show promoting their product…hmmm sounds like any other form of advertising, only instead of paying money they are donating product. Whats so wrong with that? Sounds fair to me. Its a tv show, the main purpose is ratings and advertising. Just like The Price is Right or Wheel of Fortune, this stuff on Extreme is given to the show.
Good luck to the family, hope you love your new home.

I am so happy for you guys, you truly deserve it! Cant wait to see the new house.

I’ve known this family my entire life. There isn’t a more deserving family. What a blessing for them! Congrats to all of you.

Hi and hugs from the Gerbins!

What a blessing for these people to do this for this family.
How could anyone not be happy for this family. As for, City
& Jimbo, may God bless you too.

It is wonderful this family is receiving such a gift. No denying that.

When I heard the christian commemnt I thought I had a taste of puke in the back of my throat and then I just hurled, I mean projectile!

The whole christian thing is such a turn-off. Just sickening every time I hear it. How much more can I puke.

There’s a soccer game to support the family on Saturday beginning at 1030am at the Soccer park… they’ll be filming for the show, as well! Special Olympics is playing a big role… Be a fan!! Come out and support!

A deserving family for sure, but…

…the reality is that this show has caused a lot of problems for the sake of ratings. After they are done, the value of the house skyrockets. Next year, the Martirez family will be looking at a tax bill that is likely to double or worse. There was a case in Atlanta this summer where the family had to move out of the makeover house because they could not afford the taxes.

The neighborhood sometimes suffers because the house no longer “fits in”, and that can devalue the neighborhood.

And in at least one case, the makeover family took out the expanded value of the house in a home equity loan, blew it all, then declared bankruptcy.

Like the lottery, sometimes people are better off not being “lucky”.

Yes, Habitat for Humanity is also another great organization. However, even though Extreme Home Makeover is yes, a TV show, they are able to do builds like this through DONATIONS from companies like Sears & Lowes, and the donations of TIME from professional laborers and construction companies - and the show requires ratings to do this expansive of projects.

This build is different in that its like Make-A-Wish Foundation meets Habitat for Humanity. They provide all the fun dreams and wishes for CHILDREN and adults too, along with the new home for very deserving families.

I am personally working on this build and happy to help make a difference in someone’s life. Congrats to the Martirez family!

To any of you, such as City, who only believe in charity for charity’s sake, perhaps you can make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis (http://www.stjude.org/). This hospital treats the most rare diseases suffered by children throughout the world — and the patients’ families never see a bill. Best of all, City, you can even make the donation anonymously. That’s charity for charity’s sake.

You can make a donation to the family trust fund to help them pay for utilities and taxes. This is going to be a big shock for the family.
http://www.extremehomemakeoverstlouis.com/105/get-involved/donate-money.php

Do they really deserve it? I think it is great this family is getting a new home, BUT just think of another family that could have had this opportunity.

It was the family’s decision to keep the twins which they were told they were going to be greatly disabled. So she knew what she was getting herself into. Causing hardships on everyone.. including me who my insurance helps pays for her kids.

Now think of another family who had twins, or a single child. Perfect child, but something that the parents had NO control over and something terrible happened to the kid. I would think that family should get the house instead.

Reply to “City”:
What goes around comes around and you should be ashamed! I hope this family gets everything they have ever dreamed of.

Congratulations! We are very excited for all of you! We’ll miss you at soccer, but we know you’ll be having fun w/ Mickey & the gang!:) See you when you get back!

Habitat for Humanity is a great organization. So is Extreme Makeover Home Edition! In both cases, companies donate materials and volunteers work. EMHE differs in that the companies providing materials and manpower are publicly acknowledged - they get great PR for their great deed. So what? ABC does get good ratings, but that proves that viewers want to see ‘Feel Good’ TV in addition to sex and violence. What is wrong with that? Like other families of EMHE, the Martirez family will inspire and touch the hearts of millions. God bless them!

The post from City shows me there are miserbale jealous people here. That was insensitive and moronic. Of course this person didnt have the guts to put a name down. I feel sorry for you.

In response to “zinc”… For some people, it probably isn’t much of a “decision,” and unlike what you may think, Evan and Alec should not be consider a “hardship.” They are a great family, and amazing kids, and are stronger than you probably will ever have to be in your whole life. If only you had the great pleasure of meeting the Martirez family, you would think twice about making comments like that, and also would learn what a great sense of family is.
Yes, there are always going to be other families in need of help, but believe me, this family is more that deserving, and couldn’t be more appreciative! Congrats Martirez family!! We look forward to seeing you when you get back!

City have the guts to use your name or are you ashamed to. Most people like you hide behind anonimity

Scott said “This is a great show. It’s nice to see Hollywood’s Christian side for a change.”
.
This has nothing to do with whether or not one believes in an invisible sky friend. It has to do with helping others. As a whole, atheists are much more moral people than those who believe in sky fairies.

To Zink -

What gives you the right to say that her twins life is less important or should have been terminated because they are disabled? Or that this family is less deserving then another family because their children have specail needs? Are you perfect? No need to answer that as the I already know the answer. As a Mom I can tell you that if one of my children were disabled i would have still had them. All human life is of value!

To the Martirez - Good Luck! May God Bless you and your new home!

Zink,
Next May, you should seriously consider presenting your mom with a Mother’s Day card that says “Thank you for not aborting me.” I’m not so sure she would have been as humane as the Martirez family is prenatal tests could prove what a selfish and ignorant loser you’d turn out to be. Her decision to conceive you has certainly taken a greater toll on society than the birth of those innocent twins.

My name is Christine, if you must know. But that’s not germane to the discussion, so let’s not get off-topic.

Guys, don’t make this a debate on abortion. That is off topic, and I’d have to start deleting comments.

It’s ashame that there is such jealousy and negativeness in the world. I think EM:HE made a GREAT choice…am I biased? Yes, probably. Would other families deserve this too? Of course. But unfornuately they can’t pick everyone.

Dawne, Emman & kiddos…ENJOY DISNEY WORLD! YOU GUYS TOTALLY DESERVE IT!

I agree that this is a good deed. We all know that the show is all about ratings. That’s what keeps them thriving. I feel it is a good deed for a deserving family. The only downside to the show is that often times they provide too much home for the family’s income. I just hope that they build them a more accessible home and that its within their means.

I’m all for the martirez family getting a brand new home, i live down the street from them, only complaint is that now traffic will be horrible. i cant even get to my house with out being stopped by like 10 cops. lol my favorite so far are the ones on golf carts who didnt belive me when i said i lived on the street….gah i wish they would have planned better, plus there are going to be hecka people and media all over now gr.

Can anyone please provide the Martirez home address so I may attend and volunteer. Quick reply needed…thank you!

I am friends with this wonderful couple’s sister-in-law and was pregnant at the same time as Dawn was with the twins. Andrea brought us news of the twins struggles and surgeries and I am THRILLED that they are getting such a wonderful gift! Congratulations Dawn and Emmanuel!!!

The Martirez family thanks everyone for their warm wishes, prayers and all around good vibes. We’ve been holding our collective breath for months, waiting to hear Ty coming running up my brother’s walkway this morning! My mother, sister and I are volunteering this week and look forward to seeing you all on Brunswick Avenue in Shrewsbury. Tina from down the street, hang in there.. it’ll be all over with this time next week!
God bless Christine(city) Jimbo and Zinc, there’s plenty of room for you guys to volunteer! Let’s show the country how St. Louis takes care of its people!

You can go to http://www.extremehomemakeoverstlouis.com and get all the information you need about volunteering.

Not to take away from the Martirez’s but The Extreme Make Over Team has another project in St. Louis, due to the fact they couldn’t decide between the two, and so far I haven’t seen anything about that project. Maybe someone needs to do some investigating so that the other winner gets some exposure.

Could they not give that house to another family in need and build an new home for this family on a vacanct lot ? It seems a shame to waste a decent home just for the wow factor.

What a wonderful thing you are doing for this family. Give, and it shall be returned 10 fold. Your act of kindness is a breath of fresh air in this world today. Thank you for doing this.

I am ecstatic for this family and feel blessed to be able to volunteer with my sister on the project. I watch the show every Sunday and am now going to be part of it!

Dawn is a saint! What an awesome family and the most deserving. Am so happy for them and thank you Extreme Homemakeover!

I have know Dawn and Emmanuel all my life! You are so deserving of this! Oh and those of us who know you, know this is not a hand out!

Whoever Zinc and City are, I’m sorry you have such a sad life that you can’t be happy for others! Maybe if you had some good thoughts for a change, you may be happier people! What am I saying! I am totally wasting by breathe with you two! Dawn and Emmanuel you guys are awesome and I am sooo happy for you all! I will be there helping and can’t wait to you all come home!
Love all 5 of you,
Donalyn

I have one word for “CITY” JEALOUS!!!!!! If it were you getting the house you wouldn’t be saying anything negative.

Congratulations to the Martirez family! They really deserve this. Taking care of a child with a disability is a 24/7 job, and I hope this makes life easier for them!

As far as publicity, there are plenty of businesses and people that are donating to the cause that are not receiving any “advertising.” Many of the building supplies are being donated by area companies that are not receiving any publicity.

People such as “city” and “zink” try to get a rise out of others, but I have a hard time believing that they are THAT ignorant. They want the blogs to be about them instead of the family.

Sounds like a wonderful choice! Blessings to this family!

I don’t know the family and don’t live in St. Louis but I absolutely love what the show does for families and I agree with everyone (except Zinc and City)! I am so happy for this family! I have 2 friends who each have children with disabilities. It’s hard to watch what they go thru on a daily basis just to get thru the day! I am so happy that my kids were born healthy! I’m a single mom and we have rough days, financially and otherwise! But nothing compared to what the family is going thru! Are there other families who deserve this! Absolutely! Moreso than this family? Some maybe. But anyone can apply! Sure they still have to make a decision on who they are going to help, but like someone else said, they can’t do it for everybody. I think it’s great that they get a much needed vacation; I’m sure “winning” the vacation is the last thing on their mind! It’s also nice that Sears, the contractors, and volunteers, etc. are all able to help out with the donations and time! Even if their name is out there for the publicity! They advertise thru commercials for the same purpose! There aren’t many shows on anymore that are worth watching! But I make sure I watch this one every week! If I’m not home, you can bet it gets recorded! Thanks Extreme Makeover for all that you do and showing your compassion for those in need! Ty, you are a great person and your “yelling” is even inspiring to “get the job done” and have fun doing it! Keep up the great work!! We love your show!!