Sweet Soldier Salute: Extreme Makeover Home Edition

ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition is television show renown for renovating homes, transforming lives, and making people’s dreams come true. My Principles In Action team (PIA) and I were blessed with the honor and privilege of being a part of their final episode. This aired monday night, so if you didn’t catch it, have a glance down at the magnificent candy buffet we set up for our military men.

I am a firm believer that when you make God’s Kingdom a priority, all things will be given to you

“Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you).” 

Mathew 6:33

All Photo Credits: Michelle Photography

In early January of this year the Advance Creative Team of Extreme Makeover Home Edition called me with jaw-dropping news! The Segment Producer wanted to know if I would volunteer as their event planner and designer. This special segment was dedicated to the Wounded Warriors that literally risked their lives to defend our country. This is near and dear to my heart because my husband is also a Wounded Warrior. Out of all the event planners (and there are some truly remarkable ones here in the city) they chose me! I know my God is a God of purpose and nothing, absolutely nothing happens by coincidence.

The Harris’ was the special family selected for this project by Extreme Makeover Home Edition who sought volunteers to help them with décor and design. They searched on the internet and my business’ name appeared and for some reason I caught their eye! I know the reason and His name is Jesus! I was extremely blessed to do something I’m passionate about (event planning) for a cause I’m passionate about (Wounded Warriors). My team and I had to facilitate the moving parts of this huge undertaking. We were now a part of this community service family, wow!

On January 18, 2012 we travelled with the team from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to the Brooke Army Medical Center Warrior and Family Support Center.

My Team and I had to revamp the look of the facility and make it look like a festive Christmas environment. Upon visiting the Soldier Family Support Center for site review I came up with the concept of a patriotic Christmas theme. After establishing the concept, I assembled my team to get the right vendors on board with us. We tore everything down, and from scratch we built the patriotic Red, White, and Blue décor for the show. The“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” crew had to arrive that very day to shoot the episode, so we had to get everything up and running for them in just a few hours. From decorating Christmas trees and placing gifts for the wounded warriors and their families around the trees was a scene of celebration. When we were done it looked heavenly, plus we got to celebrate Christmas for the second time, which was super exciting for us all! The episode was aired last night and in case you missed it, catch a glimpse of what Principles in Action set up and became a part of a  life changing opportunity.

To celebrate Christmas with all of those valiant warriors and their families was such an emotional experience. There truly was not a single dry eye that entire evening! Everyone was united under one roof paying their special tribute to real American heroes and their brave families. A formal dinner was organized, kudos to the Culinary Institute of America for providing such mouth-watering delights for us all! To further add sweetness to this special occasion, Principles In Action provided a custom made Sweet Soldier Salute Candy Buffet, with delicious cupcakes from Gigi’s Cupcakes. Meeting all those wounded warriors and knowing their families up close was in itself something I will never forget. To be involved in such a great cause, the day seemed to swiftly pass by because everyone was doing their absolute best to make everything look grand. I am so blessed to have witnessed and been a part of this special moment in my life.

I am so blessed to have my phenomenal PIA team by my side who worked so hard to create the awesome atmosphere of Christmas with constant check-ins alongside the EM: HE team to provide design and decor to the rooms. My PIA team worked tirelessly without complaint and to the Glory of God. We were further blessed with the help from the volunteers provided by Morgan’s Wonderland, who were extremely gracious, aiding us in our endeavors. God is such an Awesome God. All ministry should be done with the Spirit of Excellence according to Daniel 6:3-4

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; for as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

My sincere gratitude for Chauntel Simmons, renowned author of ‘If I were a Coconut’ for this guest post on my behalf.

Want us to create a magical Christmas party for you and your loved ones? Contact us today!

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