We have been acquainted with this amazing family for some years, and we have often
wondered how we might help them create more living space for their family. Then, not
long ago, the family came to us, to inquire about a small renovation they wanted to do.
After several meetings at their house, we knew we wanted to do something really special
for them – far more than a small renovation. So we told them we had an idea, and asked
them if they would let us try to make it happen. And here we are!
How did you come up with the name ‘PROJECT FAMILY ROOM’?
When the family came to us to inquire about the possibility of renovating their house,
they were most concerned about building a Family Room – a space where their family could
hang-out and eat together, as they currently had almost no space to do just that. In asking
for a family room they were very modest about their needs. We saw that their need was much
greater and what they really needed was a lot more ROOM for their FAMILY. Voila!
Why didn’t you ask the TV show (abc) to come to Kelowna?
According to the abc “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” website, they receive thousands
of applications each week. As far as we know, the show has never built a house outside
of the United States. We didn’t want to wait months, or even years, to find out whether
or not our Canadian application would even be considered, only to be (very probably) denied
in the end. But more importantly, the more we thought about it, the more we liked the idea
of making our local extreme home makeover a completely Canadian, community-based project,
rather than relying on a large, far-away organization.
When is Demolition Day? What will happen on that day?
Demolition Day is scheduled for early September. We’ll make a big splash about knocking
down the old house with big machines! UPDATE: “Demolition Day” ceremonies will happen on Wed Sep 3 at 4pm. Watch for coverage in
our local media, including CHBC, The Daily Courier, The Capital News, and castanet.net.
When is Move-In Day? What will happen on that day?
Move-In Day is scheduled for early December. We’ll make a big splash about handing the house over to the family! UPDATE: On Dec 11, 2008 - just 14 weeks after Demolition Day - we handed the house over to the family!
Please browse through new photos in our PHOTO GALLERY, watch video of “The Reveal” from our HOME page, and look for new
comments from the PFR Directors on our COMMENTS page in the upcoming days. And watch the growing media coverage… Ty Pennington, where are you?
Who is the general contractor?
Borebank Ventures Inc., in Kelowna, BC.
Please feel free to comment on this project on our comments page. You may also
contact us directly by email info@projectfamilyroom.org
or phone (250) 979-1650 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm PST).
How can I contribute to this project?
Anyone can make a monetary contribution to the ‘PROJECT FAMILY ROOM’ trust fund
at any branch of Interior Savings Credit Union in BC.
If you have a product or service you would like to contribute, or would like to speak
to us before making a monetary contribution, we would love to hear from you! Please contact
us directly by email info@projectfamilyroom.org
or phone Greg Harris at (250) 979-1650 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm PT).
How will my monetary contribution be spent?
While most of the building costs have been generously donated by local businesses and suppliers,
there will still be some outstanding costs. The PROJECT FAMILY ROOM trust fund at Interior Savings
Credit Union has been established to meet these needs. This trust fund is administered by an
independent committee.
What will the new house be like?
The new house will be a 2-storey plus finished basement, for a total of 3650 sq ft. The main
floor will be wheel-chair accessible. There will be 7 bedrooms, an office/guest room, an attached
double garage, and enough space for a really big dining table! Their property will also be
fully landscaped.
Our photo gallery will be updated periodically during construction. Please visit our site
again to watch the house take shape.
Can you tell us more about the family?
Bob and Crystal, long-time Kelowna residents, are parents to 9 children aged 1-24.
Some of them have special needs and some are adopted. All of the children are thriving
under Bob and Crystal’s loving care. We have been incredibly touched to witness their
humble and selfless way of parenting. They never complain or draw attention to themselves.
They are responsible, loving, ever-patient and wisely sensitive to the needs of
each child. While they were still living in their old home, Bob and Crystal said,
“We are content, but space is tight”. This, after they had converted their living
room into a bedroom for some of the children and more recently did not even have
enough room for everyone to sit around the kitchen table. Oh that there were more
parents like Bob and Crystal! May God continue to bless this wonderful family!
Frequently Asked Questions
How did you choose this family?
We have been acquainted with this amazing family for some years, and we have often wondered how we might help them create more living space for their family. Then, not long ago, the family came to us, to inquire about a small renovation they wanted to do. After several meetings at their house, we knew we wanted to do something really special for them – far more than a small renovation. So we told them we had an idea, and asked them if they would let us try to make it happen. And here we are!
How did you come up with the name ‘PROJECT FAMILY ROOM’?
When the family came to us to inquire about the possibility of renovating their house, they were most concerned about building a Family Room – a space where their family could hang-out and eat together, as they currently had almost no space to do just that. In asking for a family room they were very modest about their needs. We saw that their need was much greater and what they really needed was a lot more ROOM for their FAMILY. Voila!
Why didn’t you ask the TV show (abc) to come to Kelowna?
According to the abc “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” website, they receive thousands of applications each week. As far as we know, the show has never built a house outside of the United States. We didn’t want to wait months, or even years, to find out whether or not our Canadian application would even be considered, only to be (very probably) denied in the end. But more importantly, the more we thought about it, the more we liked the idea of making our local extreme home makeover a completely Canadian, community-based project, rather than relying on a large, far-away organization.
When is Demolition Day? What will happen on that day?
Demolition Day is scheduled for early September. We’ll make a big splash about knocking down the old house with big machines!
UPDATE: “Demolition Day” ceremonies will happen on Wed Sep 3 at 4pm. Watch for coverage in our local media, including CHBC, The Daily Courier, The Capital News, and castanet.net.
When is Move-In Day? What will happen on that day?
Move-In Day is scheduled for early December. We’ll make a big splash about handing the house over to the family!
UPDATE: On Dec 11, 2008 - just 14 weeks after Demolition Day - we handed the house over to the family! Please browse through new photos in our PHOTO GALLERY, watch video of “The Reveal” from our HOME page, and look for new comments from the PFR Directors on our COMMENTS page in the upcoming days. And watch the growing media coverage… Ty Pennington, where are you?
Who is the general contractor?
Borebank Ventures Inc., in Kelowna, BC.
Please feel free to comment on this project on our comments page. You may also contact us directly by email info@projectfamilyroom.org or phone (250) 979-1650 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm PST).
How can I contribute to this project?
Anyone can make a monetary contribution to the ‘PROJECT FAMILY ROOM’ trust fund at any branch of Interior Savings Credit Union in BC.
If you have a product or service you would like to contribute, or would like to speak to us before making a monetary contribution, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us directly by email info@projectfamilyroom.org or phone Greg Harris at (250) 979-1650 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm PT).
How will my monetary contribution be spent?
While most of the building costs have been generously donated by local businesses and suppliers, there will still be some outstanding costs. The PROJECT FAMILY ROOM trust fund at Interior Savings Credit Union has been established to meet these needs. This trust fund is administered by an independent committee.
What will the new house be like?
The new house will be a 2-storey plus finished basement, for a total of 3650 sq ft. The main floor will be wheel-chair accessible. There will be 7 bedrooms, an office/guest room, an attached double garage, and enough space for a really big dining table! Their property will also be fully landscaped.
Our photo gallery will be updated periodically during construction. Please visit our site again to watch the house take shape.
Can you tell us more about the family?
Bob and Crystal, long-time Kelowna residents, are parents to 9 children aged 1-24. Some of them have special needs and some are adopted. All of the children are thriving under Bob and Crystal’s loving care. We have been incredibly touched to witness their humble and selfless way of parenting. They never complain or draw attention to themselves. They are responsible, loving, ever-patient and wisely sensitive to the needs of each child. While they were still living in their old home, Bob and Crystal said, “We are content, but space is tight”. This, after they had converted their living room into a bedroom for some of the children and more recently did not even have enough room for everyone to sit around the kitchen table. Oh that there were more parents like Bob and Crystal! May God continue to bless this wonderful family!
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