Michelle Obama Returns to Fayetteville, NC to Participate in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Build

 

First Lady Joins Forces with Military Community in America's Hometown

July 2011

Fayetteville, NC - July 19, 2011 – Fayetteville/Cumberland County, NC, is widely becoming known as America’s First Military Sanctuary Community. First Lady Michelle Obama agrees: in March of 2009, Fayetteville’s Fort Bragg was the first official stop Mrs. Obama made outside of Washington D.C. as First Lady of the United States. During her trip to meet with soldiers, their families and local volunteers, she publicly endorsed Fayetteville’s mission of “watching over those who watch over us ©.” And now, as part of her new Joining Forces initiative, Mrs. Obama is once again returning to Fayetteville to champion its military support and patriotic pride. 

The power of “joining forces” couldn’t be more evident than it has been over the past few weeks at a nearby construction site. Mrs. Obama will participate in the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build currently underway in Fayetteville for a military family. Barbara Marshall is a 15-year Navy Veteran who is working to end homelessness among female veterans. Barbara created The Steps-and-Stages Jubilee House, which provides homeless female veterans with housing and support services. Mrs. Obama and the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team, along with builder Blue Ridge Log Cabins and other community organizations and volunteers, are building a new Jubilee House that can serve multiple families and act as a resource center for female veterans.
 
From the day it was announced that the family receiving a complete home rebuild from Extreme was a military family, assistance has poured in from local military support organizations like the Army’s Army. The organization has helped coordinate behind-the-scenes logistics and participated in a pep rally and community fundraiser to benefit the Jubilee House, while individual members donated their time as volunteers. 
 
“We were thrilled when we found out the recipient of this amazing gift was a military family,” said Janine West, Executive Director of the Army’s Army. “Lending our support to the Extreme build has given us another outlet to support the military and their families in this community, and it’s also been a great way to get our partners like Outback, Cross Creek Mall, International Minute Press and Hardee’s involved in a really special event.”
 
Fayetteville/Cumberland County - America’s Hometown - has received national recognition for being a pro-military community several times. It was named by TIME magazine as “America’s Most Pro-Military Town” in 2008 and as one of America’s Most Patriotic Communities by Newsmax magazine’s Peter Greenberg in 2009. It was selected as an All-America City for the third time this past June and was chosen as the location for the North Carolina Veterans Park, which was dedicated on July Fourth. Fayetteville will also be the site of Heroes Homecoming - a 10-day commemorative celebration honoring Vietnam Veterans - in November. 
 
Joining Forces was launched in April of this year as a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give service members and their families the opportunities and support they’ve earned. It is all about “joining forces” and taking action to serve America’s military families. In conjunction with the build and in keeping with its theme, “Heroes, Hearts and Hard Hats,” Blue Ridge has announced the ‘Donate A Log’ campaign to benefit the Jubilee House family/build fund.
 
“We’ve heard from military and veteran communities around the country that have been touched by the news of this project and have asked how they can get involved,” said Chip Smith, President and CEO of Blue Ridge Log Cabins. “We hope this campaign will create an avenue for people nationwide to be a part of making a difference in the lives of these women who have selflessly served our country and are now in need of a helping hand themselves.”
 
Donors can choose to contribute one or more logs to the project through five contribution levels, starting at just $50. All contributors will have their name, or the name of a soldier or veteran they are donating in honor of, inscribed on a plaque that will be presented to Barbara. To give to the campaign, visit Blue Ridge’s ‘Donate A Log’ webpage.
 
“This is not just the story of one company helping one family, but rather the story of an entire community and two states joining forces in the name of a national cause,” added Smith.
 
Extreme’s ‘Move That Bus’ Reveal will take place on Thursday, July 21 at 120 Langdon Street in Fayetteville. The event is free and open to the public. Public parking is at Fayetteville State University (1200 Murchison Road). Attendees should arrive no earlier than 11:00 a.m. and should be prepared for a two hour check-in process. Spectators will be shuttled to the build site from check-in. Please plan accordingly, bring water and snacks, and wear comfortable clothing.
 
About Extreme Makeover: Home Edition:
The Emmy Award-winning reality program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” entering its 9th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced by Brady Connell and George Verschoor. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET on ABC. 
 
About The Army’s Army:
Fayetteville/Cumberland County is America’s first sanctuary community for the Military and their Families. The Army’s Army is the world’s only volunteer organization of citizens and businesses who have pledged their moral, physical and spiritual support to those in the military. We do everything we can to make soldiers and their families feel welcome, appreciated and safe. The Army’s Army is dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us©.” For additional information, visit www.armysarmy.com.
 

Press Contact: Leah Knepper (lknepper@rubberneckmedia.com), 888-98-HEROES