What began as one LH girl’s attempt to help a new friend from camp has exploded onto the national stage as a coordinated effort to build a new home for a do-gooder family devastated by Hurricane Ike.
First, some background.
Since the sixth grade, Michelle Smith wanted to work as a camp counselor at Pine Cove. The 2008 LHHS grad enjoyed many summers there as a camper, and she hoped she’d be the kind of role model and advisor she’d admired in others.
Last summer she had her chance, and it was as rewarding as she’d imagined. She enjoyed leading all her young charges, but one girl stood out. Faith Beach, 13, was in need. Faith and her biological brother, Paul, were adopted by the Beach family, who also adopted seven other kids and had four of their own. Many of the adoptees, including Paul, had special needs. Since the family’s home was destroyed in Hurricane Ike, they’d been living in a FEMA trailer – all 15 of them.
Almost immediately after hearing about Faith’s struggles, Michelle went to a camp staff meeting to seek help for the family. Four other counselors, who also happened to be Chi Omega sorority sisters with Michelle, pledged to join her and the House of Faith Project was born. Michelle wanted to raise $30,000 to convert a barn on the family’s property to livable space before FEMA’s impending deadline to pick up their trailer. It seemed like an impossible goal to everyone but Michelle.
Michelle, who was a Wrangler and tennis team captain while at LHHS, printed some t-shirts and sold them to raise money, and she sought out donations from charities and individuals. She found the Re:vive Foundation, run by family friend and LH native Renee Barfoot, and they agreed to host a fundraiser at the Arboretum. It looked like she might just reach her $30,000 goal.
Then, whammo. Yesterday, ABC announced that it had selected the Beach family for its Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Construction on a brand new home began yesterday, and “The Big Reveal” will happen on Jan. 14.
“It’s the coolest thing ever,” said Michelle, who’s still on break from her studies as a communications major at Texas A&M. “Every day at camp I prayed for Faith and her family. I asked God to move a mountain, and He said ‘you just watch and see what I can do.’”
The family was nominated for the show before Michelle met Faith, but her persistence may have paid off. “Michelle contacted the casting director and slammed the show with letters,” mom Patti Smith told me. “She’s been trying to help this family since August. I’m proud of her perseverance and her willingness to find a role in helping them. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for her.”
Michelle looks forward to going to Kemah, near Galveston, to participate in construction. “My mom was chosen by the show for one of the coveted volunteer spots, and I’m going down to help. I can’t wait to see the finished home, and I’m hoping to have a chance to see Faith and her family. I can’t wait for the Big Reveal.” The show is scheduled to appear on ABC in March.
