Dozens of people with hammers in their hands are working through the wind this weekend nailing down a new house in Pekin. The Extreme Home Makeover Project is in full swing in Pekin for the Grys Family.

Huge crowds have congregated around the construction site. So, the crew from Extreme Makeover is asking spectators to donate canned goods if they're taking the shuttle from the Sears parking lot to the site.
The food will go to local food pantries.

The community is also helping the Grys Family pay off their mortgage with a handful of donations sites and fundraisers this weekend.

"We've had a lot of younger kids donate money and their parents say their collecting to put it in. So, it's nice to see everyone coming together. If everyone in Pekin were able to donate $5, we'd be able to cover their mortgage," Kyle Graden says while seeking donations.

The mortgage is for the house that was torn down. A number of people also helped out the family and defer construction costs by heading off to CAM's Place or Carbon for a party Saturday night in Peoria.

Besides giving the Grys Family a new home, the extreme Home Makeover Team is giving the gift of life. Designer Rib Hills gave blood yesterday and signed autographs Saturday at Pekin Edison Junior High.

They're asking area residents to roll up their sleeves along with them.
Another blood drive is scheduled for Monday near the construction site and Edison School.

Hills has a friend with leukemia and that inspired him to set up Bone Marrow Drives and blood donations at each of his projects.