Extreme Home Revealed to the Powell Family

The Extreme Makeover on Buffalo's West Side is complete with the Powell family welcomed home today by thousands of supporters. People lined up on both sides of the street, craning their necks, flashing their cameras, even climbing on roofs, for a good vantage point. "It goes on for blocks. We tried to walk down here and it was just amazing how many people came to see this," said Extreme Makeover fan Stephanie Nizinkiewicz.

Buffalo seems to be more like Hollywood today with the TV cameras, production crews and celebrities in tow. All of this is for an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode on a West Side family getting a new home.

First, the show's star Ty Pennington and celebrity guest Ashanti posed for pictures with fans as the bus prepared to drive in. The filming of each scene sequence took time but no one seemed to mind. "I did with a 2 and 4 year old, and they loved it. It was worth every second that we waited," said Becky Vanderlinde.

Then the bus pulled up in front of 228 Massachusetts Avenue to a cheering crowd. The Powell family stood in awe looking up at their new home built for them by community volunteers in under 100 hours.

"They were very shocked. I saw some tears, they were hugging everyone. Definitely the reaction I thought they would have," said volunteer Jessica Macho.

Delores Powell and her kids seemed to alternate between disbelief and pure joy. They were hugging everyone: Ashanti, the show's designers, and the David Homes crew. That's the builder that donated this home for free.

"I think it was like a marathon. This was the last mile of the marathon and we came up with an incredible home for a very deserving family," said David Stapleton, owner of David Homes.

Finally, after a week of anticipation and waiting, the Powells raced up to their front door and entered the space that is now theirs to call home. "I'm glad that they decided to come to Buffalo. You know, most people forget about Buffalo. It seems like anyway, but for them to come here and do this. Its amazing," said Shantel, a fan of the show.

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