KEMAH — Bulldozers tore through what was left of Larry and Melissa Beach’s empty house, damaged after 2008’s Hurricane Ike. It was the first step toward their new home.
Volunteers, demolition workers and production crew of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” braved cold temperatures Friday as the Beaches’ home, 1013 Delesandri Lane, was torn down in preparation for a new home, which will be finished by next week’s end.
The Beaches, who have nine adopted children and four biological children, have lived in trailers on their property since their home sustained damage from Ike’s storm surge.
Kemah native Pam Kelley has known the Beaches for five years and admired their generosity and “good deeds.” Larry and Melissa have fostered 85 children since they married.
Kelley, who now lives in Alvin, was one of hundreds of volunteers who cleared debris Friday and will work on the house during the next week. The 30-degree weather was nothing compared to the excitement of working on the house, she said.
“I wanted to watch their house come down,” Kelley said. “It was very cathartic for me.”
The show is sponsoring three blood drives in the area next week with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center as a way of giving back to the community, spokeswoman Chiquita Taylor said. They also are sponsoring a food drive at the Kemah Visitor’s Center.
Matt D’Errico owns a League City-based construction company, and is a project supervisor on the house. He learned of the Beach family’s struggles through his work with St. Mary’s Catholic Church’s Knights of Columbus, of which he is a member.
The organization donated $1,500 to Larry and Melissa so they could buy Christmas presents for their children last month, D’Errico said.
“It chokes me up thinking about what this family has done for children who need a home,” he said. “They picked the right family to do this for.”
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At A Glance
WHAT: “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” blood drives
MONDAY: Dickinson City Hall, 4403 Highway 3, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: University of Houston-Clear Lake Delta Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. in Houston, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
THURSDAY: Parking lot of Kemah Visitor’s Center, 603 Bradford Ave., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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WHAT: Interfaith Caring Ministries food drive
WHERE: Kemah Visitor’s Center, 603 Bradford Ave.
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday through Thursday
ITEMS NEEDED: Canned meat, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, cookies, juices, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, size 5 diapers and baby wipes.
