More than 1,800 Chattanooga area residents had already volunteered by Friday afternoon to lend a hand to the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" building project next month.
The crew handling the volunteers had received 1,700 commitments from unskilled volunteers and 181 contractors, according to Beth Johnson, a spokeswoman for the project.
"It's beyond expectations really," Johnson said. "We're worried that we're not going to have enough for everybody to do."
The website for the project, extremevisionhomes.com, lists more than 700 "skilled volunteers" positions ranging from landscapers to tile installers to closet organizers. On the design side, the group is looking for everyone from indoor tree wranglers to muralists to boat upholsterers.
The show, which picks a down-and-out family and builds them a house in seven days, is set to kick off the project Feb. 13 when the family is notified.
Representatives with the project are still keeping tight lips about the location and scale of the project, but a list of materials needed on Facebook gives a few clues as to the pieces involved in the build.
Craig Smith, left, and Jason Willard, owners of Vision Homes, announce the upcoming Extreme Makeover Home Edition visit to Chattanooga at East Chattanooga Lumber Co. The home makeover is scheduled for some time in February.Along with basic components such as wire and lumber, the group in charge of donations and volunteers is asking for copper gutters, reclaimed or barn wood beams, interior barn doors, water feature equipment and a split rail fence.
In addition to the labor, Johnson said she and others have received 127 submittals for supply donations.
Levar Brown, sponsor for the Brainerd High School class of 2011, contacted the group Friday to learn how the students could help.
He said the class has pledged to do 2,011 hours of community service before graduation, and many of the students jumped at the idea of helping with the project on the show. About half the class was ineligible though, he said, because he was told volunteers needed to be 18 years old.
"They're excited about it," Brown said. "We're looking for every opportunity to do community service."
GET INVOLVED To volunteer or donate: Visit www.extremevisionhomes.com
Dank Hawkins, facilities manager Eastdale Recreation Center, said he called to sign up 10 to 12 teenagers who frequent the center.
He said the teens are excited about a chance to be on the "Move That Bus" show and he would probably bring a vanload for a couple of days during the build.
"This gives them a good feeling of giving back to help someone," Hawkins said.
Chattanooga homebuilders Craig Smith and Jason Willard, who are leading the build as part of Vision Homes, were in Middleburg, Fla., southwest of Jacksonville on Friday observing a "Makeover" project, according to the staff member.
"They just wanted to get a few hands-on tips from somebody who's going through what they're about to go through," Johnson said.