Group of volunteers with special connection helping out at 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' in Clovis

Friday, August 2, 2019
Group of volunteers helping out at 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' in Clovis
Group of volunteers helping out at 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' in ClovisThe walls are up and the roof is almost done on a new house that will be the new home to a Central California firefighter.

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- The walls are up and the roof is almost done on a new house that will be the new home to a Central California firefighter.

HGTV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is behind the project that will give Nick Reeder a new beginning after the loss of his wife Amanda Sawyer.

"As a family, as a CAL FIRE Family we all want to rally around our fellow brothers and sisters to support them in their time of need," says Mark Johnson CAL FIRE Unit Chief.

For nearly 20 years Reeder has worked for CAL FIRE.

This week his fellow firefighters are volunteering on their days off to help out with the construction at the site in Clovis.

They have been by his side since Amanda died shortly after giving birth to his twin girls.

"This creates a foundation for them because since that day on April 9th of last year he and his girls have known nothing but turbulence. They have known nothing but a roller coaster ride of up and down emotions," says Frank Bigelow, Friend of Reeder.

Bigelow is a fellow firefighter, he has worked with Reeder for 15 years and is a close friend.

He saw first-hand the struggles Reeder went through in the past year.

Reeder had to sell his home and move into a small apartment to raise the twins and his older daughter who is four years old.

"Unfortunately Nick suffered a tragedy that no one should have to suffer. It is just great to be able to be here and lend that support to him and his family and see them get a new start in life as it were," says Bigelow.

The men and women of CAL FIRE are working on special projects inside the home designed specifically for Nick and his girls.

Bigelow says they are top secret but knows Nick will love it.

"It is going to be hard to put into words and I think he is going to be at a loss for words as well. It is going to be so exciting and he is going to be overjoyed," says Bigelow.

Reeder will see his new home at the big reveal this Sunday in Clovis.

Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.