In preparation for the upcoming Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build in Joplin, a community pep rally was held at Calvary Baptist Church in Joplin Tuesday, Oct. 4.  

“Traditionally in ‘Extreme  Makeover: Home Edition’, the Home Builders Association is utilized, and I’m the executive officer of the Southwest Missouri Home Builders Association,” Crystal Harrington said. “We teamed up with builders from Springfield and the lead builder, Sam Clifton, of Millstone Custom Homes, called me and asked me to plan the pep rally.”

The Joplin High School marching band kicked off the pep rally, followed by cheers from Missouri Southern, JHS, Webb City Junior High and High School, Neosho High School and Carthage High School cheerleaders. 

Nixa based band Human Anyway also played for the large crowd gathered in the Calvary parking lot. 

“Joplin is very dear to my heart. I spent the summer volunteering with Joplin schools,” Zac Rantz, lead vocalist of Human Anyway, told the crowd. “I’m a Nixa Eagle, but now I’m also a Joplin Eagle.”  

Other participants included Joplin and Reddings Mill fire departments. 

“It’s a good deal for Joplin, it shows that we care,” John Alford, captain of the Joplin fire department, said. 

The Joplin fire department held a “Christmas for Kids” toy drive during the pep rally for area children for the upcoming holiday season. There were also T-shirts for sale with the money going to the construction of the seven families. 

“I think it’s pretty incredible. This is kind of the first opportunity the community has had to get together and celebrate the excitement of the upcoming build,” Harrington said.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will build seven homes in seven days for families who were affected by the May 22 tornado. The families selected will be announced on Oct. 19 and the build will begin the same day.  

“There are a lot of volunteers already, but I would encourage anyone to come out and at least watch the build as it progresses from the ground up,” Harrington said.