They Turned a Ruined Baseball Field into a “Field of Dreams”! | Extreme Makeover Home Edition

[00:00:01]Hey guys, Preston, Ed, Tracy, and Tanya.

[00:00:03]Usually, we're traveling around the country helping out one family in need.

[00:00:06]Well, this time we're [music] trying to help out a whole bunch of people.

[00:00:09]Instead of just building houses, we're rebuilding communities. So, we're working our way through the Gulf Coast trying to do something for the states that were hit hard by the hurricane. So, today we're in Florida rolling [music] through Broward County. And Broward County took a direct hit from Wilma, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in [music] history. Obviously, there's no way we can help everybody, but what we can do is do what we do very well, which is bring people together to help others.

[00:00:33]And it all starts right here. Take a look at this tape. See what I mean?

[00:00:38]>> This is Coach Ed. He's the best coach that we could ever have.

[00:00:42]>> So, Buon Beach is a small town right here in Broward County. And like most small towns, little league baseball is a big part of the community. On a Saturday, you'll have 3,000 people come through this park with players, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles.

[00:00:56]This is a place where everybody gathers.

[00:00:58]>> It's a a very important part [music] of our community.

[00:01:00]>> A few years ago, a local team went all the way to the Little League World Series.

[00:01:04]>> History [music] has been made here in 2003.

[00:01:07]>> This is a championship team with a great tradition and a great history.

[00:01:11]>> Today, however, the baseball field is in ruins. When Wilma came through, it ripped everything to shreds. The bleachers are mangled, light poles are downed, [music] and the field is unusable.

[00:01:21]>> There is no baseball. Um, we're we're registering players, and we're unsure about our future.

[00:01:26]>> We can't play here anymore. We don't have any fields to play on.

[00:01:31]>> So, when Wilma [music] destroyed the baseball field, their coach, Ed Bowman, made it his mission to get this thing up and running. You see, he knows how important baseball is to these kids and to this community. If ABC was to come here, we would return big [music] smiles to little kids' faces. And I'd love to see 3,000 people here next weekend. Now >> guys, that's not the only project we're working on this week. The next person we're going to visit has done her best to try and help out everyone. And now we're going to give her a helping hand.

[00:01:58]Take a look.

[00:02:01]>> Hi, I'm Big Mama ABC >> and we're Big Mama family. Big Mama has dedicated the last 25 years of her life to helping out kids who've had really some tough breaks. She helps them get jobs, housing, and even helps them get an education.

[00:02:16]>> The only thing she cares about are the kids. She would just as soon live in the [music] street herself if her kids had a place to live.

[00:02:23]>> She's an inspiration to this community.

[00:02:25]And I I myself personally call her a guardian angel.

[00:02:28]>> Just look at Michelle Gross and Paul Costa who really have proven that true love conquers all. Take a look at this tape.

[00:02:37]>> Hi, I'm Michelle.

[00:02:38]>> Hi, I'm Paul.

[00:02:39]>> And we're from [music] Southern Florida.

[00:02:41]>> When Paul and Michelle were engaged over a year ago, they had no idea that plans for their storybook wedding would be destroyed.

[00:02:47]>> Here's our wedding invitation.

[00:02:50]>> Katrina came along. It dawned on us that we wouldn't be having our wedding.

[00:02:54]>> Michelle and Paul rescheduled the wedding.

[00:02:56]>> And then uh yeah, along came Wilmouth.

[00:03:00]And once again, Michelle and Paul's wedding was ruined.

[00:03:04]>> I just felt like, what more challenges can happen? I just want to marry my mate, you know? I just want to marry this man. It just kind of felt like it was gone. It was just done.

[00:03:15]>> So, look, there's no way to fix everything the hurricanes took away, but I think these projects are really good start. So, what do you say? We got a big week. I think we need to split up and try and help out as many people as we can.

[00:03:28]We're looking for a big mama.

[00:03:32]>> A big mama was at the very front of the church.

[00:03:34]>> How you doing?

[00:03:35]>> Oh my god.

[00:03:37]>> Yeah. It's a little surprise.

[00:03:39]>> Ty is here to surprise you.

[00:03:41]>> Apparently, you've been asking for some help, correct? You want to build some kind of center, correct? Well, guess what? You don't have to wish anymore.

[00:03:49]We're going to build you. [cheering] [applause] >> Oh, this is a good look. a good dance.

[00:03:57][cheering] >> I've never seen a dance [music] like it.

[00:04:00]Big mama was channeling someone or something through her body.

[00:04:04]>> The spirit just took control. And that's what you call a happy Holy Ghost dance because joy had come into my life.

[00:04:15][music] >> Joy.

[00:04:17]>> Let's get the boys up here.

[00:04:19]>> Bless you. She uh is a fantastic woman who basically has devoted her life to helping [music] the kids of her neighborhood. She likes to kind of reach the kids that are deemed unreachable by the system. Why do you do what you do?

[00:04:32]Why are you doing this?

[00:04:36]>> I've been there. [music] >> You've been there.

[00:04:38]>> I've been there and I'm still there.

[00:04:41]>> Big Mama has a very [music] big heart, but she does not have a big pocketbook.

[00:04:45]She is doing all of this [music] work and trying to help all of these young people who really need her help [music] with donations and and she's really spread thin. She's doing what she can with what she [music] has and it's not very much.

[00:05:02]>> And it's spirit like that that really [music] can rebuild this community. And I think if we can give her the resources she needs, she can help even more people.

[00:05:12]>> All right, you guys. We're taking Big Mama with us. Let's go. [cheering] >> So, as soon as we left the church, Tracy took Big Mama and Ed stayed [music] back at the church to get together his game plan to help Big Mama help [music] other people. [cheering] Big mama, [applause] >> she needs help to do what she does best, and that's help other people. And we need to get her a community center where [music] she can start helping these people again. So, we found the perfect solution that would be a modular structure. [music] Not only would it be hurricane resistant, but also easy to build.

[00:05:51][cheering] >> Mike, Mike, Jordan, [music] Adrien Holmes.

[00:05:55]>> Mike and all those guys at uh Adrien Holmes, you are all legends of the highest order because it is a hard feat trying to build [music] any kind of home, modular or framework.

[00:06:06]>> Straighten up. Straighten up. Nice and slow. Unbelievable. Keeper coming.

[00:06:14]874 >> 874.

[00:06:17]>> So Big Mama brought Tracy [music] to meet some families that are basically refugees in Florida. I mean, they used to live in New Orleans but now live in Florida in temporary [music] housing.

[00:06:25]Big Mama really wanted to help them out.

[00:06:27]>> We don't have a home anymore. We lost everything and a lot of my friends [music] don't have a home. Everybody's everywhere. the the whole fact that, you know, going through a hurricane, I was [music] pretty scared knowing I have small kids. That was on my mind a lot because I was wondering, leaving is one thing, but what you going to do when you leave? [music] I really felt for these young mothers, you know, being relocated from your home where you have family and now you're [music] in this new place where you don't have those things. I think it was really comforting [music] for these families to meet Big Mama. I need you to let me know what it is that you actually really need. [music] >> I like very much for them to um wear clothes that wasn't um donated or something I purchased. That [music] would be nice.

[00:07:13]>> I think that the hardest thing about being a parent is that you have to tell your kids that everything's going to be [music] okay. But you don't know that.

[00:07:21]>> I want stability. I want to know that I can stay here and [music] it's going to be safe and it's going to be okay. So, the good news is Ty really came through for us.

[00:07:29]>> And sure enough, Ty [music] came through in flying colors along with the Sears American Dream campaign.

[00:07:36]>> Hi.

[00:07:39]>> Are you ready?

[00:07:41]>> Ty sent $5,000 a piece for your families.

[00:07:47]>> All right, let's go shopping.

[00:07:49]>> Let's go. These two [music] families that lost everything in this hurricane were able to go to Sears with their young children and really just feel a sense of it's going to be okay. You guys need dishes, pots [music] and pans, silverware, all that good stuff, Marcia.

[00:08:07]>> Yes.

[00:08:07]>> Okay. Nice, Mom. That's pretty.

[00:08:11]>> What great taste you have, my [music] dear. These are just things, but they're things that will get this family on their feet. And >> [music] >> um I loved helping these families start their foundation and and start this thing called home.

[00:08:24]>> This particular build, we have taken down no trees. But even if we had, it wouldn't have been a major problem because this company, they plant 200 trees a minute. It makes me happy to keep the trees alive.

[00:08:43]>> ED. ED. OH, >> HEY. How's it going?

[00:08:48]>> Very good. So, how'd it go with you and big mama?

[00:08:50]>> So much fun. But right now, let's get this finished and bring big mama home.

[00:08:54]What do you say?

[00:08:55]>> Go put the pretty in. Okay.

[00:08:56]>> Thank you. Thank you.

[00:08:57]>> And a lot of the kids have piled into the school bus and they're ready to bring big mama home. [cheering] >> Bring her around. [music] >> To be out there with a crowd cheering and all of the community were there. It was magic.

[00:09:15]>> [cheering] >> Go your boys. Go on.

[00:09:21]>> Are you guys ready to see the center?

[00:09:23][cheering] Okay. One, two, THREE.

[00:09:29]MOVE THAT SCHOOL BACK.

[00:09:32][cheering] [screaming] >> When I saw this home for my children, The tears [music] of joy.

[00:09:47][cheering] [music] >> Thank you, Jesus.

[00:09:56]>> She just fell [music] to pieces. She just melted in a good way.

[00:10:02]>> Okay, I'm going inside. I need to go inside.

[00:10:05]>> Cool. I'm getting there.

[00:10:11]>> Oh.

[00:10:13]Oh my god.

[00:10:14]>> The first thing she sees [music] is the mural.

[00:10:17]>> And I tell you what, probably more than anything that affected him the most.

[00:10:22]>> This is so beautiful.

[00:10:24]>> The mural was actually done by a local artist who's actually met you a couple of times and he's heard your story. He's he understands [music] where you've come from and he just took it away and he run with it. And looking at that picture, he definitely run [music] with it.

[00:10:37]>> Yeah.

[00:10:38]>> Cuz I don't think he expected you guys to quite react the way you reacted to that. So obviously means a lot to you guys to [music] see that up there. Yeah, >> it does. That was really, really touching.

[00:10:48]Really touching.

[00:10:50]And it [music] goes with the room.

[00:10:52]>> We actually had a big old word with a quite a good friend of ours, a Sears American Dream campaign, and they have basically hooked you [music] up with everything that you need to help these kids' lives. It was a different kind of reveal because all the stuff they're seeing, they're excited, [music] but they're more happy because they know it's going to go to good people that need the help. my big pot so I can really cook. [music] >> And I think that that ultimately is the reason that we helped Big Mama in the first place. You know, she's all about helping her community. And I think that there aren't [music] many people like that.

[00:11:23]>> All right. Woo! Oh my god. Is it gas?

[00:11:28]Watch this. Come on, Big Mama.

[00:11:30]>> Come on. Flip it over.

[00:11:32]And I turned around and I looked [music] and I saw this grill. Oh. And then I saw the utensils there. Now I can take it and [music] just cook my kids their food, their breakfast, whatever they want. Big mama can do it.

[00:11:46][screaming] [cheering] >> This is Marcus. Marcus is the builder.

[00:11:53]>> And Screen Makeovers have made it happen. They sent Ed and Tracy here to help Big Mama, to help her community.

[00:12:04]It's very easy to see how much of a big impact you yourself are on this community. Tracy and I want you to carry that kind of work on and we got in contact with a company called Nailnet and they really did want to get involved. In [music] fact, they wanted to get involved 75,000 times over because they have opened up a $75,000 fund scholarship to help you help [cheering] these kids achieve a college scholarship.

[00:12:33]>> [cheering] >> They had to see something in Big Mama to do what they did to help me [music] to help those kids to be successful.

[00:12:44]>> There are a lot of kids that need guidance, a lot of kids that need to go to a safe place. Now they have Big Mama on their side and I guarantee she's going to do great things for that center.

[00:12:54]>> Watch it, boy. Watch it. Come on.

[00:13:00]>> [screaming] [cheering] >> ABC extreme makeovers home edition. Big mama want to thank you all for everything that you have done to help big mama to help others. Thank you very very very very much.

[00:13:15]>> The team of life center is officially open to the community.

[00:13:20][cheering and applause] >> This is the first wedding dress.

[00:13:28]We picked our wedding [music] and then along came Katrina and I started calling [music] places to see if anybody had this date open in 6 weeks notice on our budget cuz we had lost a lot of money with [music] Katrina.

[00:13:47]>> How was this for some seriously bad luck?

[00:13:51]>> Hurricane Wilma [music] comes through and uh ruins any plans of a wedding.

[00:13:56]Here's my second hurricane. [music] Another category 5.

[00:14:01]>> These guys have been through a lot. So, it got to the [music] point that they almost thought, "Wow, you know, is is should we not get married?"

[00:14:08]>> I just kind of felt robbed [music] by no one's fault just by some freak of nature and timing.

[00:14:16]>> My project this [music] week is to try and like bring two people together that every time they've tried, a storm has prevented [music] it. Well, this time we're going to make sure the third time is the charm.

[00:14:25]>> So, now I'm going to their work to hand them this, which is a wedding invitation. That's right, people. We're having ourselves a wedding. Michelle, >> how are you? Hi there.

[00:14:38]>> I know you guys have been trying to uh do a [music] thing called a wedding for a long time. Take a look at this. I think [music] you're going to love it.

[00:14:46]In fact, you're invited.

[00:14:47]>> We're getting married.

[00:14:51]Yeah.

[00:14:52]>> Everything that we've been through between the two weddings and all the emotions, we fought a [music] lot to get this far. Words can't explain how much I love her and how much she deserves this.

[00:15:05][music] >> Pile in the limo and start thinking about the fact that you're finally getting married.

[00:15:12]>> Oh yeah, >> we were [music] along for the ride at that point.

[00:15:15]>> Guys, I'll see you there.

[00:15:16]So, I sent Paul and Michelle to this really fancy hotel to get ready. Okay, how to figure out how to throw a wedding, right? I [music] have to throw a wedding and I've got a lot to do in a very short amount of time and I needed some serious help. So, I called [music] in a guy by the name of Colin Cowi and he's the guy Oprah calls when she wants to throw a party. I mean, this guy knows how to throw a wedding.

[00:15:36]>> Colin Cowi, man, you're a lifesaver. How are you, >> dude? Thanks for being here.

[00:15:41]>> We need wedding [music] rings.

[00:15:42]>> We need a dress. Okay, >> we need to do some amazing flowers and some decor elements, >> right?

[00:15:47]>> With some great music.

[00:15:48]>> Okay. [music] >> And you take her to the will and we're done.

[00:15:50]>> And here's the wonderful caller, the lady behind the magic.

[00:15:52]>> All these are going to end up going on here. [music] >> And some more at the end.

[00:15:55]>> Are you going to be able to get it all done in time?

[00:15:57]>> Absolutely.

[00:15:57]>> I heard your story. Thought to Cory's got to help you out. She wants something unique and different.

[00:16:02]>> I like it. Yeah.

[00:16:02]>> All right, let's bring them in, people.

[00:16:04]Let's have ourselves a wedding.

[00:16:06]>> He flew in the entire family from all over to make sure that all their loved ones were here for the wedding.

[00:16:11]>> So, how long did it take you to make that? Well, we actually broke the record today.

[00:16:15]>> I bet you did. I bet you did. I got together with [music] an incredible designer who designed this beautiful wedding dress.

[00:16:23]>> Hey, is Michelle here? Let's just say we made her a very special day even more special.

[00:16:28]>> So, you nervous?

[00:16:29]>> Yes. [laughter] >> Well, that's cuz you're getting married.

[00:16:34]>> That's right.

[00:16:34]>> This is Renee Rue, and he has made you a wedding dress.

[00:16:39]>> We're hoping that it fits. We're also hoping you like it. Why don't you try it on? Okay. Okay.

[00:16:43]>> I'll try it on now.

[00:16:44]>> Please.

[00:16:45]>> Okay. [laughter] >> Renee put me in this dress.

[00:16:49]>> You like it?

[00:16:50]>> Yeah. I love it.

[00:16:52]>> Thank you.

[00:16:52]>> I feel like an angel. I felt like I was meant to walk on a cloud in that dress.

[00:17:00]>> Oh, wow. Yeah. [cheering] [applause and music] >> It's just such a beautiful moment, man, because you know this is the day she's waited for.

[00:17:12]>> [music] >> We brought in this pretty awesome trumpet player, Chris Bod, and he plays [music] this wedding march. You know, here comes the bride.

[00:17:22]>> Michelle was just beautiful to see her smile coming down the aisle. It was the greatest thing that [music] I could ever see.

[00:17:30]>> Paul and Michelle, your wedding is a picture of the resilience of a people.

[00:17:35]The fact that they're [music] standing here today and that you're sitting here is a testimony to the power of love.

[00:17:40]That love is the [music] most powerful force on the planet. There's not a hurricane on earth that can stand in the way of it.

[00:17:47]>> To see those guys out there staring into each other's eyes. I mean, you can just see [music] that they were just madly in love.

[00:17:52]>> It gives me great pleasure and pride to present to you for the very first [music] time, Mr. and Ms. Paul Costa.

[00:18:04]>> [cheering and applause] >> It was wonderful to be announced as Mr. [music] and Mrs. Costa. Finally, >> I just wanted to scream with joy.

[00:18:09][applause] >> There is no hurricane too big that can knock away the community spirit or the love that people have for one another.

[00:18:17]>> You know, it's the power of love that's really going to get everybody through this. Man, I thought the wedding went great and I think it's just a great [music] way to show um what uh what's important in life. It's love, it's life, it's friends, and it's the bonds that uh people have for one another.

[00:18:32]>> Hurricane Wilma, it came [music] through and devastated this park, devastated this community. You don't expect to pull up and see, you know, lights hanging and [music] glass shards everywhere and fences knocked down. That's where you're supposed to see kids smiling and playing and having fun. Not that much damage.

[00:18:47]>> There were [music] so many kids affected by the damage to the field, but one kid in [music] particular stands out, and that's Coach Ed. He's just a big kid.

[00:18:56]The parents on [music] my team call me the kid biggest kid on the block. I have the kids calling me on a Sunday morning, hey coach Ed, can you come out and play?

[00:19:02][music] Yeah. And uh they they all they want to do is play baseball. That's all they want to do.

[00:19:06]>> Well, we got to make that happen. So, why don't you show me some of this looks?

[00:19:09]>> Ed took [music] me around the field to show me the devastation and for him it was reliving it a little bit and it hurt him.

[00:19:16]>> All four fields [music] are just totally nonfunctional. There's something wrong with everyone. All the fences are damaged. All of the rigging and netting is down. There's not a whole lot left.

[00:19:26]Boon Beach [music] Little League has a history that just goes on forever.

[00:19:29]Generation after generation of Boon Beach families have played on this field and they're very, very proud of their baseball. [music] >> Why is the grass all dead?

[00:19:37]>> Because the the power went down from the hurricane. It destroyed all the power from the baseball and the sprinkers got destroyed. So the grass couldn't grow because it got no water. It's things that six, seven, and [music] 8-year-olds really shouldn't even have to worry about, but it's become their concern now, their burden, because it's their field.

[00:19:57]>> It's a mess.

[00:19:58]>> This is the first time I've stood in here [music] since the hurricane.

[00:20:03]>> So, the last time you were [music] here, you had this place full of your kids.

[00:20:07]>> It was the Saturday before Hurricane Wilma, and uh [music] we had a little betting practice before our game.

[00:20:12]>> Well, it's not really a game anymore here, is it? [music] >> No, it's really not. It's really not.

[00:20:17]>> Hey, what is this?

[00:20:18]>> Our concession stand.

[00:20:20]>> The kids took me in to show me their concession building.

[00:20:23]>> So, [music] look guys, I see >> water damage.

[00:20:25]>> Water damage. So, Kyle, what happened to the concession stand?

[00:20:29]>> The rain was so hard and water keep dripping.

[00:20:32]>> This concession building represented revenue. You need this concession stand [music] so you can sell things from it so you can make more money to buy things for the field and have maintenance in your uniforms. Is that what YOU'RE TELLING ME?

[00:20:44]>> YEAH. [screaming] YEAH.

[00:20:47]>> OKAY. I think I hear you loud and clear.

[00:20:49][music] >> The kids need their field of dreams. So, we got to get started. We wanted to give our ballpark some authentic trappings, like a grand entrance. So, I started to scribble something on a napkin, but I lucked out when a architect named Quinn showed up with a drawing significantly [music] better than my napkin sketch.

[00:21:07]>> That's not my sketch.

[00:21:09]>> Oh, yes, it is.

[00:21:10]>> No, no, no. This is so much better than my sketch. Who did this?

[00:21:13]>> We gave a little sketch helper. [music] >> Okay. Okay. Well, let's go check it out.

[00:21:16]Sure. Nice work, Quinn. This is kind of our own arc of [music] triumph, isn't it?

[00:21:21]>> Yeah.

[00:21:22]>> It does give it a sense of permanence, too. This kind of arch. This is not going to get blown down in any hurricane. [music] >> Absolutely not. It's here to stay. Just like Little League and Boon Beach.

[00:21:32]>> The 2003 national champs were invited to the [music] field. And I said, you know, why have you here? You've done so much to inspire the younger kids that um we have a little surprise for you. [music] And so we looked up and craning over their heads is this huge bronze sculpture of Mighty Casey at the Bats.

[00:21:50]And it was [music] created by a man named Mark Lundine and donated by teammates for kids.

[00:21:56]>> One of the things that was significant and really inspirational [music] about the 2003 champs is that they didn't win.

[00:22:03]They lost graciously and they went out [music] swinging. It's true. Like Mighty Casey, but they did it with honor and grace. The theme of this park is what Mighty Casey stands for. Go out swinging. And I think you [music] guys represented that in the World Series.

[00:22:18]>> Very good. I >> think it's time to bring these kids home.

[00:22:20]>> Let's do it.

[00:22:21]>> I'm with you. We really had to think about how to reveal this ballpark. I mean, how do you surprise nine kids in Coach Ed? We just completely turn the lights off. Keep the entire crowd quiet.

[00:22:32]We brought the kids in.

[00:22:33]>> We wanted them to be surprised. It's a big place, so we had to have them close their eyes. And we had them on [music] them pictures, man.

[00:22:40]>> And I just said, "Look, guys, count down with me. You ready? [music] At the top of your lungs, let's start at five." I'm like, "Five [screaming] 4 3 2 1 [music] [cheering] [cheering] >> [cheering] [music] [cheering] >> This is the bestest day.

[00:23:21]>> The bestest day.

[00:23:23]>> We did it for you kids. Everybody here in the community did it for you guys.

[00:23:28]>> We played baseball here forever.

[00:23:31]>> Coach Ed's an emotional guy. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and he saw what we had done to the field. Well, I think he spent himself on crying tears of joy all week, but he still had a few left.

[00:23:45]>> Oh, what a gift.

[00:23:47]>> Awesome.

[00:23:48]>> Guys, you like your new field?

[00:23:50]>> Yeah.

[00:23:51]>> There's so much more out there. You want TO GO SEE IT?

[00:23:54]>> YEAH. LET'S GO.

[00:23:56]>> They ran around like Well, they went wild. Batting cages, dugouts. They had a lot of things to check out. [cheering] [cheering] [applause] When they get to the confession building, >> well, of course they're eating a snowball of popcorn and hot dogs. Their lips are blue. They just can't believe it. I mean, everything about it is their park.

[00:24:24]>> My favorite things are the fields, the concession [music] stands, just everything.

[00:24:30]THANK YOU.

[00:24:32]>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[00:24:34]>> We finally have a field of dreams.

[00:24:36]>> We're really lucky when we get communities to donate their labor of love. And we also sometimes get lucky with certain individuals, and [music] this was no exception. The only thing that really got us down all week was that you have four fields here, right?

[00:24:51]But we couldn't get to all four fields.

[00:24:53][music] We just did this one. But I think, well, Alan might be able to tell you something that'll make you guys really happy. Alan [music] Mark Smith.

[00:25:01]Wow, what a generous guy. Not only did he deck the whole field out with [music] cameras and video screens, >> he said, "My company and I would like to donate to Boon [music] Beach Little League."

[00:25:13]>> I would check for $100,000 to help you finish your field and [music] make sure that what the hurricane took away, you'll get back.

[00:25:22]And all I can say is God bless. [music] And guys, grow up. Be good kids. And hopefully someday you'll do the same thing for your kids that [music] I'm trying to do for you. Coach, [screaming] >> that's what generosity is about. This man's not even from Boon Beach, but he knows what it is to be from a community, and he knows what it is to give back.

[00:25:42]>> When all the tears were over, it was [music] time to play ball.

[00:25:46]>> Where you going?

[00:25:47]>> And just to hear, you know, batter up, [music] that's what it's about.

[00:25:50]>> I think those kids rounded the bases a hundred times. They might still be running.

[00:25:56]>> I can't wait for opening day. We're going to hear the bat ring. We're going to hear the gloved pop. We're going to smell the hot dogs in the new concession [music] stand. Thanks to ABC and Extreme Makeover, our kids are going to be able to manifest their dreams.

[00:26:10][cheering and music] There's another surprise.

[00:26:14][music] You don't realize what a facility that's shared by [music] a community, what it does to bind people together. And so to [music] fix that field brought this community back together as well.

[00:26:32]>> You guys know uh New Orleans and the surrounding areas were absolutely devastated by Hurricane Katrina. And honestly, most of this town is abandoned. Over 70% of the people that lived here have had to move to live someplace [music] else. and the town.

[00:26:47]Who knows if it'll ever be the same. So, this week, we're going to find some projects that really help out this whole community at once and hopefully be able to bring some people back home to New Orleans. Okay.

[00:26:57]>> All right.

[00:26:58]>> Take a look at this video and you're going to see some of the people we're going to try and help out this week.

[00:27:02]>> Hi, I'm Charles J. [music] South III and I'm the seventh pastor of the First Emanuel Baptist Church.

[00:27:09]>> The First Emanuel Church has always been there for the community of New Orleans and now they're needed more than ever.

[00:27:14]This church here, this is a landmark. This church here serves [music] so many purposes.

[00:27:21]>> We believe that the church is a vital element of the community.

[00:27:24]>> Pastor South Hall and his whole congregation are [music] dedicated to giving back to this community. And before the storm, that's just what they did. In fact, they ran a daycare center out of the church so that they could take care of the kids while parents went to work. They also ran a kitchen so they could feed the hungry and the homeless.

[00:27:38]>> We see the needs of the community. We offer our services. It's not a solicitation to join. It's basically [music] saying we're here.

[00:27:46]>> But in the storms, uh, the church took on a lot of damage and most [music] of the resources they had to help out their community were ruined.

[00:27:53]>> The need is tremendous. Um, [music] our capacity to meet that need is is is nowhere near the need. [music] >> And if we can help out the church, we can rebuild the church, I think we can bring back the neighborhood. So, there are a lot more people in this area that could use our help. Now, St. Bernard Parish is uh just a stones throw from the center of New Orleans. [music] Now, the people of St. Bernard Parish are literally still struggling to survive.

[00:28:19]And for the people who lost everything, one of the most painful things is the things that you lost that you can't replace. [music] Stuff that's gone forever.

[00:28:28]>> This is our home. Once was >> pretty much lost everything. Basically, what we're looking for is photos. We have obviously lost years and [music] years of memories in our photographs and yearbooks, things that are not replaceable.

[00:28:42]>> So, it's kind of like a treasure hunt.

[00:28:44]Uh, hunt for memories, basically.

[00:28:46]>> Maybe we can try and help some of these people as they try and go back to their houses. Maybe we can help them restore some of the things they can't replace.

[00:28:53]And who knows, maybe we can try and help them get back their memories.

[00:29:01]One more thing. This town is known for music. And music is the heart, the spirit, and the soul of New Orleans. The thing is, these musicians, well, they've had to be scattered across the country.

[00:29:14]And a lot of them have lost everything, including their instruments. So, I'm going to try and do something about that. I'm going to try and bring the music back to New Orleans. And maybe the sounds of horns and trumpets will actually uh bring the people back to New Orleans. has come down over this bridge.

[00:29:29]We're going into the lower ninth [music] ward. Now, this is the area that was absolutely hit the worst. And uh I don't know if even we're going to be prepared for what [music] we see, but I think anything we can do could hopefully make some kind of a difference.

[00:29:45]>> Oh my god.

[00:29:50][music] As I looked out the window and saw what the hurricane had done in the ninth ward, um, I [music] was in shock. I couldn't believe it. Cars on top of cars, on top of houses.

[00:30:06]>> My god, look at the power lines, dude.

[00:30:07]The power lines are right there.

[00:30:10]>> This is frightening, man.

[00:30:11]>> A lot of volunteers.

[00:30:12]>> Overth. So, a lot of volunteers coming out to help.

[00:30:16]>> Well, that's that's a sign of hope right there.

[00:30:18]>> But no one's here.

[00:30:22]It's so hard to look at all of this and think that we can make a difference.

[00:30:26][music] >> So overwhelming.

[00:30:31]>> Let's check it out. Figure out what we can do. [music] All right.

[00:30:35]>> Okay.

[00:30:36]>> Let's go, people.

[00:30:40]>> Man, there's a whole house that was there that's just gone. Those blocks were actually the foundation of a house.

[00:30:45]That was the front steps that's just gone. Listen.

[00:30:51]>> Nothing.

[00:30:52]>> Nothing.

[00:30:53]>> You don't hear any birds. You don't hear anything?

[00:30:55]>> Nothing.

[00:30:59]>> There's just no sound. There's no sounds of life.

[00:31:01]>> Nope.

[00:31:04]>> For what I saw on the news, you know, I I thought it was going to be bad, but when you see this in person, >> I had no idea it was this bad.

[00:31:10]>> Well, I think I think what's going to happen down here is you're really going to have to help out your neighbor, and you're going to have to pitch in. and and just seeing some of the volunteers show up down here. That's what's going to take. [music] And if we can help inspire people to do that, then let's do it. You know, well, let's do what we can.

[00:31:24]>> What do you say?

[00:31:25]>> Let's do it. [music] >> The sadness you feel here is overwhelming. And it's so hard to think that [music] you can actually do something to make a difference. But it has to start somewhere.

[00:31:37]>> Oh, and Miss [music] Lucy, they really need our help. Wow.

[00:31:42]Now, this was a big project and clearly I wasn't going to be able to do it by myself. [music] So, with the help of uh the guys from Donna Hugh Feet, Sunday morning, we all gathered [music] together outside the church. It was time to surprise the pastor and Miss Lucy. I think we all know why [music] we're here, okay? It's been a a horrible situation with this hurricane and this church has done nothing in the past but give back and help other people. They can't do [music] that now, but we can change that and we can make a difference. And that's why we're all here.

[00:32:12]>> All right, somebody [music] said, "Amen." Amen.

[00:32:16]>> Let's go do this.

[00:32:18]>> When you looked at it from the outside, it wasn't that bad, but [music] water rose up and came in the back door and flooded everything. There was just nothing salvageable.

[00:32:28]>> How do you think people are doing? How do you think >> people are hurting?

[00:32:32]>> Yeah. when you have such devastation uh it it's a mountain that every day [music] gets taller.

[00:32:41]>> Obviously they have their services but they also take care of mothers and children. They have daycare. They feed the homeless and the hungry. And the storm actually took away the ability for them to do that.

[00:32:54]>> The social services [music] component where we teach little girls hygiene, little boys hygiene and teach them to [music] go to school and do well. so that they can be contributing members of the community, not the drug pushers, [music] not the ministers of society.

[00:33:09]>> Well, I tell you what, we're going to help you spread that message.

[00:33:13]>> If you give us [music] an opportunity to have a place to work from, and that's what this building has served as. You give us the opportunity to continue [music] to touch lives, to mold young people, to to instill [music] community help.

[00:33:29]>> Everything is lost. Everything. We have nothing here.

[00:33:32]>> Oh, I don't want to cry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[00:33:36]>> That's okay. And you've been through a lot.

[00:33:39]>> A lot.

[00:33:41]>> Miss Lucy is an amazing woman. Everybody should have [music] a Miss Lucy in their life. How are you doing?

[00:33:48]>> Tell me.

[00:33:48]>> I'm doing pretty good so far. We just found a [music] place, my son, and I to stay, but we're going to make it. We're going to make it despite anything and everything. Miss Lucy is the youth [music] director at the church. And u she's actually a retired teacher and her house was completely [music] lost in the storm. So she's kind of made the church her home since [music] Hurricane Katrina came through.

[00:34:10]>> It serves so many purposes. That's why we have to have it up and running. It served the city, served the public, the homeless, especially [music] for our kids, too. So, Pastor Southaw and Miss Lucy gave me a tour of the entire church and the daycare and the gym and the [music] kitchen and showed me what they had and kind of what they might need.

[00:34:29]>> We need to get this gym up tiptop shape.

[00:34:32]Safe. [music] Make it safe for our kids, our community, and our daycare. We needed a tip top shape to draw the community back into the inner city. We need a [music] tip top shape to bring the kids off the street. your possessions. Your pictures, family photos, ruined. People like Miss Lucy are strong and determined, [music] but they're going to need our help. We have to give it to them. Miss Lucy loves her art and she loves [music] the kids.

[00:35:00]So, I'm thinking uh maybe I do an art project involving [music] the kids. Um something we can put back in the learning center so she can continue to inspire others.

[00:35:12]This is tragic. [music] I'd seen an art project done before where you take a picture of something, cut it in half, and then the children draw what they believe the new half should [music] be. And basically what we did is we took photographs of devastated homes and let the children sort of reinvision in their own way what these homes would be and what they could become.

[00:35:32]>> It's very And I love all your [music] use of color, all the bright color, the pots and the flowers. It's so good.

[00:35:39]>> It [music] uh it really touched me. Wow.

[00:35:42]The new organ. We're We're bringing the music back.

[00:35:46]>> The new organ had been delivered.

[00:35:48]>> Oh, that sound good, man. [laughter] >> Check this out, though.

[00:35:52]>> The organ player was there. He started to play on the new organ and he played Amazing Grace.

[00:35:58][singing] >> Sing.

[00:36:06][music] It was this moment that just sort of happened. All the volunteers gathered around and began to sing and uh it's pretty awesome.

[00:36:25]>> That song, that moment for me, it really put into perspective why [music] we're here this week. Power blind now [singing] I see.

[00:36:43][singing] >> Oh my god. [music] >> I think they were overwhelmed. The church looked beautiful.

[00:36:51]>> How does it feel right [music] now, man?

[00:36:52]You're looking at your church and your congregation is here behind you.

[00:36:55]>> I got a place to work.

[00:37:00]I got a place to work.

[00:37:02]>> So, I sent the parishioners up into the [music] church, but I told Pastor South, Miss Lucy to stick with me because before they go in the church, first thing I wanted to do was show them the nursery. [music] >> Oh my god.

[00:37:15]>> Oh, I never could imagine.

[00:37:17]>> This is simply simply awesome.

[00:37:21]>> Oh my god.

[00:37:22]>> Well, there's a lot more to see, but I don't know if we're ever going to get Miss Lucy out of [music] here.

[00:37:26]>> No. [laughter] We understood your commitment to the children. That's why this room's so important.

[00:37:32]>> Thank you.

[00:37:32]>> It is.

[00:37:32]>> Now, we got [music] a lot more to see.

[00:37:34]So, let's go this way.

[00:37:37]>> Oh, Lord.

[00:37:38]>> Oh my.

[00:37:40]>> Oh, my god.

[00:37:43]>> They couldn't believe that that kitchen was theirs. I [music] think they realized just how many people that they could serve with a kitchen [music] like that.

[00:37:52]>> We going to feed a whole lot of homeless people now.

[00:37:54]>> Well, I'll tell you what. There's one more thing I think you'll like to see.

[00:37:58]Step through that door.

[00:38:00]>> Oh my god, Lucy. A Patrick full of food. [music] >> All the food you see in here is from Second Harvest. Okay.

[00:38:08]>> Second Harvest Food Bank is a nonprofit food bank and what they do is they distribute [music] food to the hungry and they heard about Pastor South's efforts and they wanted to make sure they could help and they did. They know this church has been here for about 120 years. They have vowed to [music] make sure that these shelves are stocked for 120 years.

[00:38:28]>> No.

[00:38:29]>> 120 years.

[00:38:29]>> I mean 20.

[00:38:31]>> You guys can continue to do what you do.

[00:38:33][music] Your community will never be without food.

[00:38:37]>> Thank second harvesters.

[00:38:40]>> Thank you so much.

[00:38:42]>> This is unbelievable.

[00:38:47]>> We'll feed. We'll feed. [music] and we'll feed.

[00:38:52]>> I knew the learning center was going to be Lucy's room. I knew that that was the one that was going to touch [music] her the most.

[00:38:59]>> When he says Miss Lucy, that's not all.

[00:39:01]And my heart was about to jump out my body. Another another big surprise.

[00:39:07]>> Oh my god.

[00:39:11]Oh my god.

[00:39:14]The classroom so amazing. It's so beautiful. So [snorts] gorgeous. We have somewhere to work. truly work. Now, >> and there's something over here, Lucy, I want to show you.

[00:39:24]>> Oh my god.

[00:39:25]>> This is a project we did with the children this week.

[00:39:28]>> Beautiful.

[00:39:30]>> Got the picture of the house with the devastation. [music] >> Do you recognize that house?

[00:39:34]>> That's my house.

[00:39:36]That's my house. [crying] [laughter] That's my house.

[00:39:41]>> It was um very overwhelming, I think, for her to see her house. It was her house. It's just a poignant moment.

[00:39:49]It's not sad. I'm not sad. I am very happy. And if I [music] display myself the way I am, if they don't understand, this is joy. This is joy.

[00:40:00][applause and music] There's somebody here that deserves a lot of [music] credit. And it's the guys who uh are from Donahue Fret who who headed this up and [music] did such a phenomenal job with such a great spirit and attitude. Can you guys [music] come up here and take some credit? [applause] [cheering] [music] >> Look a little different.

[00:40:32][applause] [music] >> It has been a thrill being here. A thrill working. I hope you all enjoy it.

[00:40:41][applause and music] >> Thank you for doing what you do.

[00:40:46]We just made it a little easier for you.

[00:40:47][music] Yes, you did.

[00:40:49]>> This is a church that serves and you guys feed and you clothe and you nurture [music] >> and and that's why we're here this week.

[00:41:00]>> We're bringing New Orleans back one step at a time and it's starting right here.

[00:41:05][music] >> Ty sent me to [music] St. Bernard Parish to just kind of delve in and help these people who have lost absolutely everything.

[00:41:20]>> Hi, I'm Paige from [music] Street Makeover Home Edition.

[00:41:22]>> Hi. How are you?

[00:41:23]>> Good. This is your house right here.

[00:41:25]>> Yes.

[00:41:25]>> Yeah. I I met Paulie and her two kids, Alex and Sophie. And you know, this is just a normal family who's lost everything. I mean, this neighborhood, you can [music] tell, was absolutely beautiful.

[00:41:37]>> It was It was a fabulous neighborhood.

[00:41:40]Um a great family neighborhood. That's probably the hardest loss. I think even harder than than actually the house is how much community, how many neighbors we've lost.

[00:41:51]>> Yeah.

[00:41:53]So, this is it.

[00:41:56]Oh my gosh.

[00:41:59]It just hit [music] me that this is this family's life. This is what they do on their time off. They go back to this neighborhood. They go back to the house, try to salvage anything that they can.

[00:42:09]>> This is the bed where the baby pictures [music] were. And this used to the the mattress they were sitting on top of.

[00:42:14]>> Holly headed back into Sophie's room [music] and she said, "There's just one thing I want to get in here and it was pictures. Any pictures that [music] we could find." And I have tried so hard to figure out which way they would have gone. So we throw that out the window.

[00:42:29]The whole house is [music] full of this mud and muck and plant life. You finding anything?

[00:42:38]And I don't see.

[00:42:41]>> We found a lot [music] of pictures and a lot of picture albums, but not a lot of salvageable pictures. I'm >> so sorry.

[00:42:48]>> It's just s.

[00:42:53]>> She was [music] able to save some pictures from her son, but had no pictures of her daughter when she was a baby. Hey, Polly. [music] >> Yes.

[00:43:00]>> Come look at these pictures. These your daughter?

[00:43:02]>> Oh, [crying] yes, they are.

[00:43:07]When you've lost [music] everything, all you want is the memories that you had.

[00:43:12]>> She's beautiful. She is. She's always [music] been so incredibly photogenic.

[00:43:17]>> I'm standing next to the person who's lost everything and she's [music] got a smile on her face. She finds a little picture and says, "Wow, this gives me hope." That's when I knew [music] there was something we had to do.

[00:43:28]>> Maybe we can bring some of these back.

[00:43:31]>> I hope so.

[00:43:32]>> I went outside. [music] I called Ty. I asked him for his help. anything that we could do to help restore these photos.

[00:43:37]Once I knew that HP was on board and they could help us, I got the word out and before you knew it, we had a line that was going out the door.

[00:43:45]>> Hi. What do you have in here?

[00:43:46]>> A picture of my son. He was about [music] 4 months old.

[00:43:50]>> And how old is he now?

[00:43:52]>> 35. Oh, >> you live here [music] in town?

[00:43:57]>> You coming back?

[00:43:59]>> Couldn't tell which one to take, [music] but this was one that was real important. My daughter.

[00:44:03]>> Your daughter. And how old is she here?

[00:44:05]That's [music] the picture they took at the hospital.

[00:44:07]>> Oh, so just a few hours.

[00:44:09]>> That's right. But that was important.

[00:44:11]>> Oh wow. I was so moved by meeting these people. Not only just to see [music] their pictures and to see their memories, but to see the looks on their faces. Knowing that they've lost everything and [music] these pictures are all they had, it is so overwhelming.

[00:44:25]And you know, you want to do so much more to help these [music] people. And then you realize that by bringing some of these memories back, you are doing a big thing. you are doing something great. We are honored that we get to help you guys in any way that we can. I mean, you have truly truly touched us.

[00:44:41]And [music] HP has been here with their photo restoration team. And the best news, they are leaving the equipment that they used behind so [music] that as you guys find more pictures and you gather more pictures, you can continue to restore them. So, very, very nice of them. Yes, these memories are so important to these people that [music] I didn't just want to hand them a stack of pictures back. I wanted to make this really special for these people. I wanted to make them feel like they were walking through an art [music] gallery.

[00:45:05]This time the art is them.

[00:45:08]>> Yes, that was it. That's me. Yeah. And >> the look on Pauliey's face was just one of such happiness and such [music] gratitude.

[00:45:21]>> You know, the one thing I had no hope of truly was [music] to find pictures in water. How do you find pictures in water and how do you do anything with them?

[00:45:29]This is unbelievable.

[00:45:31]>> [music] >> I know. They did a great job.

[00:45:33]>> You look around the room and you almost sense that people are taking in a deep breath of relief. There's so many homes that were destroyed in St. [music] Bernard Parish that we couldn't possibly come in and rebuild them all. And a photo seems like such a small gesture, yet it's giving these people hope [music] and it's moving them in the right direction. We couldn't rebuild homes, but we can rebuild [music] memories. And that's what we did here this week.

[00:45:58]>> Well, I guess you didn't quite make that gig.

[00:46:01]The main thing right now is just to get as many musicians back as fast as we can. Get the music in the street in these neighborhoods. Around here at night, it's dark. There's nobody living here. We need help. You know, we need a lot of help.

[00:46:11]>> They're telling me, you [music] know, what it's like to do this.

[00:46:14]>> The tradition here is you help everybody immediately. Anybody. I can see that, man.

[00:46:19]>> So, [music] there is definitely a spirit in New Orleans that that doesn't look like it'll ever die. You >> can't flood that spirit. You know, >> they're just determined [music] to to bring the city back to what it was. If we can replace some of these instruments that these guys lost, then [music] then we can start a healing process.

[00:46:33]>> I wanted to make sure that these guys got something they needed. I got in touch with Music [music] Rising, which is a charity dedicated to GF Coast musicians. And sure enough, [music] man, the Gibson bus pulls up. You know, that thing was stock full. If there was a musical instrument out there, it was on that bus. Let's start handing out some instruments. All right. All right.

[00:46:50]>> Let's do it.

[00:46:52]>> Hey, thanks for coming, man. How are you? Thanks for being here.

[00:46:54]>> Thanks a lot. [music] >> It's going to be awesome. we get to a place called uh the Howland Wolf, which is a little club down in uh down in New Orleans where a lot of musicians play music. So, I got in touch with all these different [music] musicians and uh I said I'm actually having kind of a jam over at uh the Howland Wolf. I tell you what, man. Uh it is great to see the spirit of New Orleans alive out there tonight, man. And uh [cheering] this week has been pretty incredible.

[00:47:21]We've seen a lot [music] and uh I know a lot of you guys out there uh lost everything. We're hoping tonight we can put some smiles on [music] some faces because uh well, the one thing we do have a room full of is incredible musicians who need instruments.

[00:47:35]>> So, guess what? [cheering] We're handing out instruments and we're bringing the music back.

[00:47:44]>> So, let's hand out some instruments.

[00:47:45]What do you say? [cheering and applause] Then we all gathered around and and we started passing out some instruments.

[00:47:51]>> REGINALD STEWART, >> Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra, >> Dr. Michael White.

[00:47:57]>> We we had every type of instrument. We had flutes and violins and guitars [music] and keyboards.

[00:48:03]>> Whatever we had off that bus was going out to the musicians of New Orleans.

[00:48:07]>> I got a keyboard for Jimmy Brown. Bryce Miller.

[00:48:10]>> Bryce Miller.

[00:48:12]>> How's that feel?

[00:48:14]>> Great, man. Thank you guys so much.

[00:48:16][cheering] >> It was so cool to see these these artists, these musicians finally have an instrument in their hand again. They were elated. They were so happy.

[00:48:26]>> Canon, [cheering] >> is this fun? [cheering] >> It's just a drop in the [music] bucket, but for the first time in a long time, you really saw some hope and some uh some some fun spirit back. I got to tell you guys about some folks I met this week, man, that uh these guys pretty incredible. Some of them are musicians, some of them just love the town of New Orleans. But these guys, they just pitched in and [music] started making a difference. So, I got to introduce some of these guys to you cuz they're right here in the band. Some of them. So, uh Craig Klein, come on up here, MAN.

[00:49:00][cheering] [applause] >> Craig had no idea that this was going to happen. And so we call him up and then Bob Ezren from Music Rising and Henry Jessawitz from Gibson came up and had a surprise for the guys from Arab Wrecking Crew.

[00:49:20]>> There's something very special happening here tonight. Uh the spirit that's coming back to New Orleans [music] led by musicians and people who care. And so in addition to musical instruments, we have a check [music] for $50,000.

[00:49:36][cheering] from the Gibson Foundation.

[00:49:43]>> They presented Craig with a check for $50,000 so that he and his organization can [music] use it to help rebuild houses and help communities.

[00:49:50]>> You guys have got the talent. You got the skills. You got the [music] spirit.

[00:49:54]And now you guys have got the instruments. [applause] So, let's bring THE MUSIC BACK, [cheering] RIGHT? SO, WHAT DO YOU SAY? LET'S HAVE SOME MUSIC.

[00:50:09]>> [music] >> put an instrument in a musician's hand and they're going to play it. And that's exactly what happened.

[00:50:15]>> It was time to stomp your foot and just uh just feel the heat.

[00:50:22][music] >> [cheering]