The Girard family is home and thousands of volunteers went back to their real jobs on Monday. I served as Lead Volunteer Coordinator throughout our Eastern CT Extreme Home Makeover; a project to build a new home in 106 hours. I wrote about the journey at my Eastern Connecticut Real Estate Blog.

This week I struggle for the words to thank each of them for their contribution, whether it was a roofer who had to lay shingles in the bone chilling cold or a teacher who picked up trash in the church parking lot. It was all necessary work, performed in the worst of weather conditions, with no expectations of being recognized except for receiving the elusive blue tee shirt. Some didn't even receive that small reward as the production company ran out before the project was over. (How dumb was that?) 

I have a few favorite volunteer memories. Unfortunately most of them involve a face but not a name since there was little time for introductions. I laughed with the ladies who served me lunch one day, who proudly spoke of their promotion from picking up cigarette butts, to trash detail and then food servers in the catering tent. I can't help but smile about some of my favorite volunteers who kept returning (against the rules) but wore their tee-shirts, stuck on a hard hat, and always seemed to find a job to do.

The need for the non trade volunteers picked up dramatically on Wednesday as the build team raced to complete the Girard's home on time. Calls were coming in on my walkie talkie for volunteers and trucks continued to pull up that needed unloading. With no volunteers to choose from, I only had one option left. I headed into the VIP tent and asked if anyone could help. Susie Mendenhall, the former Mayor of Ledyard, didn't hesitate.  Before the day was over, Susie was muddy and wet along with others who had traded in their VIP status to work as volunteers.

I offer a sincere apology to those that were not accepted as volunteers. Over 2000 non-trade volunteers offered their time but we could only choose about 1000 to work a single 4 hour shift.  Surprisingly the night shifts were easier to fill than we thought.  For those that were chosen, arrived, and then told we were not accepting volunteers, I am really sorry. That was a decision made by someone not authorized to make it. Those errors were quickly corrected but not before about 50 of you were turned away.

A special thanks to the team who checked in over 1000 volunteers at Lot #10 at Foxwoods Resort Casino.  The promise that "the check in tent will never blow over" was false and was heading towards Route 2 before it was snagged by a fence.  Foxwoods stepped up in a big way and provided a warm bus for the check in operations.

I learned a lot about people through the hundreds of emails I received. Almost all were filled with sincere appreciation of the effort. Some were offers to donate wreaths, trees, even Tupper Ware. Others said they would come and sing Christmas Carols to the workers.  I had several Santa volunteers. We were overwhelmed by donations and couldn't use them all.  Please consider donating those items and services to another needy family this holiday season.

For those cynics who commented in the newspaper about volunteers seeking camera time; there were no cameras rolling in the middle of the night as the landscaping crew was laying sod in the mud with rain and howling wind. There were no cameras to show sheet rockers sleeping in their cars waiting for their work to start. Volunteers gave up personal and professional time and sponsors made significant financial contributions simply because they wanted to help a neighbor in need. Although ABC made it possible, they provided little financial support and the project is dependent on the work and generosity of neighbors and strangers. 

Three weeks ago, when Conrad Ricketts, an executive producer, told the packed room at Foxwoods Resort Casino that this volunteer effort would be a life changing experience, I didn't completely understand.  Now I do. After the bus moved on Friday and the Girard family was touring their new home, the build team, some of us strangers just a few weeks ago, realized the incredible journey was over. One by one we started hugging each other as tears streamed down our faces. It was a bittersweet moment. It included the joy of accomplishment, the relief of being able to return to our normal lives and jobs, and the sadness of knowing that we would probably not have the opportunity to work together again.

 Welcome Home Girard Family.  Welcome Home.

 P.S.  ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition (Voluntown CT) will air on February 8, 2009.