Extreme Home Makeover: Philo Edition

Over the summer, a family in Philo, Illinois got the chance of a lifetime. They were nominated to be on ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. The family found out they were selected when host Ty Pennington showed up to Salt and Light Ministries to share the news.

Nathan Montgomery and his family were selected to be given a new home at no cost. Montgomery, his wife Jenny and four children were living in a run down house that was even home to a snake. The house was in horrible condition. The foundation was cracking and there were huge holes in the siding. It was an unbearable environment.

Montgomery is the executive director of Salt and Light Ministries. Salt and Light is an organization that gives free food and clothes to the less fortunate. Since opening in 2004, Salt and Light has helped over 200 families by giving them clothing and food. For more information on the ministry visit http://www.saltandlightministry.org/.

Before the makeover Salt and Light was suffering from a lack of funds. The ministry was having a hard time paying all the employees and they weren’t getting enough money to get by. They were also having a tough time filling their food pantry. Nathan would go weeks without pay because of the lack of money which made it nearly impossible to fix up there dilapidated home.

The Extreme Makeover crew with host Ty Pennington made their way to Philo, Illinois. In seven days Pennington and his group of designers and hundreds of volunteers created a new home for a very deserving family. The family was sent to Walt Disney world for a much needed vacation while all the work was done.

Extreme Makeover also revamped the Salt and Light building with paint, light fixtures and refurbishing of offices and other rooms. With the donations from the show, local businesses and the community, Salt and Light received over $50,000 to help them further their ministry. They also received five semi-trucks full of groceries.

On Sunday, October 25 the family’s show aired on ABC during national volunteer week. To watch this episode or others visit http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition.