They’re almost done!

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree albertleab.

Posted by ellen67 (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

this says anyone can go out there and welcomd the family home....i heard for that only VIP passes were allowed. anyone know the correct info on that?

Posted by babyAl (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

EVERYONE is welcome to come out!

Posted by max08well (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I volunteered my time for this worthy project, and even though there was not much work for us, I too am excited to have the family see what can happen when a community comes together. I do have one "negative" comment to make. It's amazing how "it' s who you know" syndrome that allowed many who didn't sign up to either get the "vip passes" or do the volunteer work that we signed up to do." Leave it to "vain humans" to take advantage and use their clout to include some and exclude others.

Posted by debbiekelly (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It looks like Albert Lea is still a great place to live. Congratulations to all of you that have taken the time to do something for someone else. God Bless You.

Posted by allake (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Max,

For the most part, people that got VIP tickets donated over $1000 to the project. Not should be called using their clout.

I heard from 2 different people that the "action" was better for the non-vip anyway.

Way to go Freeborn County.

Posted by max08well (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm also talking about the "Volunteers". I was one of them. Don't get me wrong, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. But let me tell you, when I got there no one asked for my name, no one verified any identification. And as far as the VIP , believe me I saw several people who "KNEW" someone get invited to come to the tent and get "special previleges. Whatever, I was just disappointed that I couldn't have done more than just stand around most of the day. However, just being there was definately an "honor".

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We have to remember this is a primetime TV show. It is not simply a locally organized group of citizens. As for VIP statis, there will always be people abusing that.
We just have to enjoy the time while their here, hopefully it turns out well for the family.

Posted by kimmypooh24 (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

does anyone know when there going to show this on tv?

Posted by max08well (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard second week in December, but don't quote me

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i think they should have let more people volunteer instead of letting people volunteer and work multiple times. I guess i should have known someone to get in there

Posted by RoyBatty (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Max08well - I too volunteered and instead of working, spent nearly the whole shift (just over 5 of the 6 hours) standing and waiting by the volunteer tent. So did the other unskilled volunteers on the same shift. And this wasn't in the middle of the night either.

When people volunteer their time, but end up feeling underutilized, it's hard to come away feeling like you accomplished much, especially if others with 'privilege' are jumping in line.

Fine that some people who were able donated $1,000. For most, donating money was not an option. What they had to give was their time. And yes, some felt their time was not spent well.

It's still an amazing project unlike anything we've seen before in our area.

Posted by minneosta (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

okay who cares who uses "their status". lets remember that this is being done for a family who deserves a new home. can all the HATERS just be happy for this family? everything has been done out of the kindness of people's hearts. al larson has given alot of money for this project and alot of his own time. lets just get over this vip thing. who cares, this is all about the family not you.

Posted by max08well (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To "minnesota", I DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF A "HATER". I think RoyBatty makes a good point. I guess I was surprised that considering a project that is done as many times as they have, that they would have a better handle on the number of people needed and when. (Unless weather or machine breakdowns occur). I think we can all say that it is a worthy cause and the focus should be on the family. It just didn't surprise me that even in the most humblest of situations, you still have the "haves" utlizing their privilege, and the "have nots" humbly standing by ready to serve.

Posted by allake (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How is donating a few thousand dollars, or more, and being given a few VIP tickets a bad thing. Looks to me like they need $$$, volunteers, and in kind donations.

GOOD JOB FREEBORN COUNTY!!

Posted by RoyBatty (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
Mark 12:41-44

Posted by max08well (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, couldn't have said it better myself!!! Right on Roy!!!

Posted by kenison5 (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hi, from Al Kut, Iraq. It has been just over a year here for me now. Let me tell you I have seen and done a lot since being over here, but I must say, with all the negative news I see on TV. It warms my heart to hear and see people from my home town area coming together for each other. I wish I could have been there to help this family during this special time. Way to go Albert Lea, Extreme Make Over, Larson Construction, and every volunteer.......service to others, first; service to self, second.....

Posted by Transplanted (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Savor the moment and let it carry you onward. There are many that need help, whether it is hauling some trash, or fixing a house. Try to keep the momentum going after the cameras have gone, and the VIPs have moved onto the next cause celeb. In every effort you can find things that can leave you defeated. Don't wait for the call, but reach out as much as you can for each other and to each other. You've been shown that it's possible, you've seen what can be done. Keep it going and growing A.L.!

Posted by howitz19 (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASE! keep in mind this is for a family. A family with children. A family with feelings! They DESERVE us to act like Adults. Anyone can read any of this. I am sick reading all of this. If you volunteered ... WONDERFUL! Great! If there was not enough work.. well guess what..... THATS wonderful too! Nobody made you stay.This family DESERVES All positive comments. Anyone that gets special treatment... WHO CARES! Please stop this.. It's so embarressing to see., This show was for positive energy among humans. Please keep this positive energy up for this family. If they read all this nonsense, how must that make them feel? When something great happens to you, I will be happy for you too.!! Lets be an example for Minnesota proud, Albert Lea proud! PLease consider my thoughts before adding anything that might even consider harming another. Sincerley, Howitz

Posted by sorrycharlie (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

first of all ...
Thank you Kennison5 for serving our country and God Bless You! The rest of you should stop whining about money, vip passes and life just not being fair to you. That's not what this is about. It's about a beautiful home for a deserving family. I went to see it today and all i can say is WOW!!! What a beautiful job that was done. Even if you only played a smaller part than what you wanted, at least you were fortunate enough to be chosen to be there. Just be happy for the family ok?

Posted by max08well (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Am I speaking English? I never said I wasn't happy for the family, in fact if you look at the past comments, I said I would gladly do it again!!! I also commented on how deserving they were. You people have missed my point entirely. As far as I'm concerned Jesus set the example, with his humility even though he is the Son of God, that my friend is the humility I want.

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope this goes good for the whole community. I also hope it stays good for the family.

Posted by RoyBatty (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Max08well, I get exactly what you are saying.

My point is that I don't care if you're rich or not. Our time is equally valuable when volunteering for a project like this. However the message from some here seems to be that it's OK to ineffectively use the time of the 'have nots', and certainly don't complain about it either.

But do you suppose if one of the 'haves' ended up standing around when they could have been doing something useful, that they would be told to be quiet and just be happy you were asked?

Posted by howitz19 (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was there to help last week too. I didn't do a lot but I was glad that I was there. What a terrible thing if myself and you were not there and they had too little help. I just want to say that thank God for the Al Larsons and their team in this world, so beautiful things like this can happen. I don't have the money but I made the commitment to make the time for this family. I met Al and some of his crew for the first time last week. They all did a great job. Just to help you out in the future.. IF you feel like your standing around too much, you are an adult and can make some choices. Just to give you an idea of what I mean is: one) you could assess that you are not working and make the choice to leave. Two) you could pick up some garbage or ask someone if they need a break or perhaps a drink? (that's what I did). Three ) you could complain.. I wonder what Jesus would have done?! ;}

Posted by leonci (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I had a crew of 13 skilled wood floor installers at the home last night. We were scheduled to get started at 8:00 p.m. and finish by 4:00 a.m. I used about 10 volunteers and they went to work clearing the areas, carrying wood flooring in the home, hauling garbage out. They worked in unison with our crews and together we finished 3 1/2 hours earlier than expected. I had reports of volunteers having little to do and we did not let that happen on our shift. Everyone of them worked relentlessly and never complained or worked without a smile. I did not know any of you, but hopefully the message will get to you, you were a big part of the team-JOB WELL DONE !!!

Posted by AnEngrsWife (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was out at the site volunteering like most of you were. All I have to say about the VIP people who abused "who they knew", Is don't you feel better knowing that you didn't abuse anything? I would've liked to be out there more than I was, but I am just happy that I got the priveledge to be out there at all!! Those are memories that I will forever have. How many people can actually say that they had the same experience? Be happy about what we did and forget the people who had to rely on people that they knew to get where they were. I had a blast out there and I thank everyone that was there with me for the "Braveheart" scene for making it so memorable!!

Posted by max08well (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Howitz, I get what you're saying. However, as volunteers we were told NOT TO WALK AROUND, NOT TO WANDER, but to stay by the tent in case we were called. By the way, I was given a VIP pass (by mistake) and I did what Jesus would do, "I was honest, gave it back and told them they had made a mistake".

Posted by allake (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Help me understand what was being abused by "who they knew".

I know of at least one person who was "unskilled" over the weekend and given a VIP pass by a supplier for another day. What did she abuse?

Posted by MN_Girl (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would just like to say I had an incredible time volunteering. I did everything from parking cars to peeling stickers off of the windows to Being the VIP Patato Patrol person. What a wonderful time I had. I got to meet people who were out there for the same reason I was. Just to help and to make a difference. I didn't care about meeting the famous designers or production people or any of that. I just wanted to be able to go and do my part to help make a difference in the the Devries families lives. I am sorry that not everyone got to volunteer. We Could do something like this on a smaller scale and maybe clean up some of our community and help our neighbors out instead of complaining about them. Like we do when we do the clean up aropund the lake. If everyone that wanted to help out with the Devries home were, as anxious to help out in our community like they wanted to helpout on this project.... Just think of the community and how it would be effected. WOW !!! thats all I can say.

Posted by Momma23 (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! For people who are quoting scripture and therefore "claiming" to be Christians, there is a lot of negativity going around! Think about the example you are setting for non-believers!!! Is that really what Jesus would want???? Please consider this before posting any more negative comments.

Please just be THANKFUL that you were able to be chosen for such an honor-serving and helping out another person/family! There were many, like myself, who couldn't be there and would have LOVED to have been able to be there, even if it was to just stand around! To be able to be even a SMALL part of such a wonderful thing should make you proud, not jealous! I would imagine it is impossible to know EXACTLY how many volunteers you may need for such a MASSIVE project! Better to be safe and have plenty than to not have enough!

GREAT job to the Al Larson family, Larson Contracting and ALL of the other volunteers and businesses and individual people who gave up so much of their time and money to help out this family! Just think, It's almost time to go home and catch up on some much-needed sleep :-) WAY TO GO!

Posted by RoyBatty (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jesus didn't exactly accept the status quo either, and ended up paying the ultimate price for daring to do so. His goal was certainly to make the world better. So I guess those who dare to offer constructive criticism can handle a few verbal stones. If no one 'complained', nothing would ever change for the better.

Posted by Momma23 (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If people are feeling as if they have volunteered but not "helped" enough, reach out to your community and HELP someone else! You may not get recognition or "vip" status, but the point is to HELP! It should not matter whether you have done something big or something small, what matters is whether or not you have made a difference (for the better) in someone's life!

From the articles I have read about this family, they have volunteered and helped out others their whole lives. I am so glad that they were able to be on the receiving end for once! May they continue to be blessed!

And way to go to ALL the people who were involved in EVERY way on this project! You should be proud! This job could not have been done without ALL of you!