Updated 08/26/2008 06:08 PM
“Extreme Makeover” family thanks community
GENEVA, N.Y. -- A Geneva family is still getting used to the idea that a brand new house and boxing gym is theirs.
"It's overwhelming it really is. It just shows what Geneva, a small community can do," Michelle Hill said.
ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" sent the Hills on vacation last week while the cast and crew and the crew and hundreds of volunteers tore down the Hill’s old house on William Street and built a new one.
Producers say the Hill’s love for their community won them over.
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The Hills devoted their lives to helping young people, through their day jobs as counselors and their work with the Geneva Boxing Team. They went so far as to take boxer Aleem “Hammer” Whitfield into their family last year.
"My dream came true already. I'm not even pro," Hammer said.
The assessor for the City of Geneva said the Hill’s taxes will rise from $3,000 to $12,000 a year. Local businesses pitched in to help with the initial costs. They donated everything from homeowners insurance and landscaping to free orthodontists visits and food.
The University of Rochester also gave the Geneva Boxing Team $400,000 in scholarships over the next 10 years.