On Sunday, October 18, 2009, America will once again grab for their box of tissues, as they learn of one family’s daily struggle after a life-altering tragedy and the effects a tremendous outpouring of generosity exhibited from their community can have, in a new episode of ABC’s hit series, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
The employees of Kirby Stone Company, LLC have always been avid fans of the show, and typical Monday office banter includes chatting about the episode from the previous night. Kirby Stone Company, LLC has often discussed how the natural stone supplier could get involved in such a noble cause, so when they were approached by Acme Brick Company to partner in a project to be completed in Lancaster, Texas, Kirby Stone Company, LLC eagerly accepted.
The Family
Ty Pennington and the ABC "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" team arrived in Lancaster, Texas, at the Marshall Family's residence, a tremendous surprise to Carlton Marshall and another chapter in his long road to recovery.
Dallas Police Department’s Lieutenant Marshall was shot in the neck in October of 2007 while the Dallas SWAT team was executing a narcotics warrant at a residence in Oak Cliff. The injuries he sustained from the gunshot wound include severe spinal cord damage, loss of his hearing and a stroke. Since his injury, Lt. Marshall’s mobility is primarily limited to a wheelchair. However, even after doctors doubted he would ever walk again, Lt. Marshall can now move around for brief stints of time with the assistance of a cane.
But with mounting medical bills, the father of two young children has been unable to afford to make his home wheelchair accessible, much less address other, more expensive, issues with the Marshall’s home, including foundation problems, snakes in the wall and a septic system that backs up.
The new home will solve these issues as well as enable the Marshalls to continue their long-time volunteer work with Therapeutic Riding of Texas (TROT), a horseback riding therapy program for children and adults with mental and physical challenges, with a modified horse barn and stable capable of hosting TROT sessions.
The Project
In July of 2009, ABC, Ty Pennington and the rest of the crew for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” traveled to Lancaster, Texas to meet and surprise the Marshall Family. However, after Kirby Stone Company executives and employees visited the job site at midday during a Texas summer, one employee wondered who was more surprised: the Marshall Family surprised by the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” crew OR the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” crew after being welcomed in from Hollywood by the 100+ degree Texas heat!
Visiting the site was certainly an experience for all of the Kirby Stone Company staff attending. The entire project was completely orchestrated prior to the demolition and build days ensuing. However, even with an all encompassing plan, balancing construction time, film time, safety and other needs of the subcontractors and the countless volunteers was truly inspiring. Have you ever seen ants hard at work? They are all going in different directions and doing different things, but they are each focused on their individual responsibility contributing to the common goal. THAT is an “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” jobsite!
After being surprised by Pennington on Friday, July, 10th, the Marshall Family went on vacation to Disneyland. By July 17th, the Marshall Family was back at home in their fantastic new home!
The Stone
In partnership with Acme Brick Company, Kirby Stone Company, LLC donated sixty-five tons of Tumbleweed Tan chopped natural stone for the project in Lancaster. The sandstone product was delivered to Lancaster by Acme Brick Company, via Kirby Stone Company’s sandstone quarry located in Lometa, Texas.
In a unique turn of events, the Dallas Police Department, a brotherhood affected greatly by the tragic event in 2007, circulated an email asking for officers to volunteer in hauling the Tumbleweed Tan natural sandstone for the masons to lay. So many responded, some had to be turned away.
The Revelation
The Marshall Family episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will air on ABC on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm.
Tune in this Sunday to learn more about the Marshall Family and the project in Lancaster, Texas!
For more information about Kirby Stone Company, LLC, our portfolio and our products, please visit us at our newly redesigned website.
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