Extreme Home Makeover Season Finale: McFarland Family
By: Diane Tuman, Zillow Content Manager | May 15, 2009
On Sunday, the season finale of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will feature the McFarland Family of Indianapolis. Bernard McFarland, a computer specialist for Indianapolis Public Schools, managed to overcome odds of his own impoverished upbringing and consumed books and knowledge en route to getting a college education. Now, he is raising his three boys in an Indianapolis home that is unsafe due to holes in the ceiling, walls and floors, water damage in the sub-flooring and rusting pipes, plumbing, corroded wiring and crumbling drywall. That has all changed, as viewers will see on Sunday, when the ABC show airs its season finale at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Central).
As most followers of this show know, makeover recipients are not selected on home need alone; the recipients are usually very involved members of the community who give back before they give to themselves. Such is the case for Bernard McFarland. Determined that kids in his neighborhood wouldn’t be deprived of books and information, he formed “Pack House 2000,” a program for youngsters which involves reading groups and trips to libraries, museums and cultural events in the city, even though Bernard had few resources.
The McFarland home at 2356 N Oxford St, Indianapolis, IN, was demolished in March, then built in one week’s time while the McFarland family toured Paris.
According to Indy.com:
Estridge built McFarland a 2,500-square-foot home and a 900-square-foot library and resource center that he can use when he mentors children. Estridge’s crew constructed a basketball court and a putting green to go with the home.
The team also spruced up the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood, planting more than 1,000 trees, paving the alleys, arranging for free Internet access and touching up several nearby homes. The closed IPS School 37 will be turned into a community center, and Estridge is in talks with community officials about helping to renovate it.
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- Categories: Extreme Home Makeover, Home Improvement
Comments
27 Comments so far
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WILLONAW on May 17, 2009 5:30 pm
I really was touched by bernards story, i am a single mother of two boys and we really need more men like him to help guide the boys that are coming up with fathers. I am inspired and would like to talk to bernard. Is he married? please respond Willona in jacksonville, fl
Debbie Robinson on May 17, 2009 5:43 pm
Bernard seems to be a wonderful guy. I am so glad he was chosen for the makeover. If more people were as selfless and kindhearted as he is the world would be in much better shape. Thank you Bernard for all you have done.
Debbie
Tallapoosa, GA
Nicole on May 17, 2009 5:44 pm
I was so touched by Mr. McFarland, he is an awesome man and we need more men like him. He is a mentor, a father, a role model, and an activist. To see his story made me ask “What will your legacy be?”
Leslie H. on May 17, 2009 6:00 pm
2 words…Amazing Man!! I was so moved & inspired by Bernard. He is a stepping stone for many around the world, including myself! He is awesome!! Bernard if you ever read this, just know that you are so derserving! What a man, who is making the difference, changing the lives of others…Your sons have a wonderful dad, I believe they to will be a leader, and make a difference! And because of you, many other children will also become achieving individuals…I actaully cried tears of joy!! You are dealt a blessed opportunity, to mentor many, young and old.. “So keep dreaming high, shoot for the moon, and if you miss, reach out and grab a star” Those words will stay with me always. Thank you Bernard! God Bless you and your wonderful family!
Leslie,
yolanda Achukwu on May 17, 2009 6:03 pm
I was so touched and inspired by Mr. McFarland’s story. He truly deserves this. He has been blessed and has the favor of God on his life. I pray that his son’s succeed in college and in their dreams. I also hope that all the people in the community appreciate him for his hard work and dedication to the lives of the youth. He has inspired me to step up and be more involved in the lives of young people. I love his motto “Lift as you climb” and plan to use it in our new mentor group for teen girls. Thanks and be blessed.
Tina on May 17, 2009 6:08 pm
I could not contain my tears to see a young man to make his dream come true for his family, he seem to be a wonderful man and a great father and not to mentiona amazing role model for the kids. I respect and my warm wishes goes out to the McFarland family. His story touch us all the way in Mississippi.
Candace on May 17, 2009 6:12 pm
Watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition tonight I was so touched and inspired! Mr. McFarland is an outstanding man and person and he deserved all of the gifts he recieved. I just cryed with him and I was so happy for he and his family. I am a single parent as well and KNOW the struggles that single parents face daily. Our communities need more positive, uplifting, inspiring, role models for our young men. I would like to contact Mr. McFarland to find out if there is anything I can do to assist him in his quest for encouraging knowledge. I have some books that I would also like to donate to his PackHouse 2000 library. blackfeetlumbee980@gmail.com.
gail p on May 17, 2009 6:27 pm
mr. mcfarland you are a wonderful person i also was touch by your story . May god bless you and yourfamily.
Judy on May 17, 2009 6:31 pm
Are Bernard’s 15 yr. olds twins, or just very close together, or is one adopted, or have different mother’s or what? Just wondering.
Joan Hunter on May 17, 2009 6:43 pm
I hope and pray there are more people - dads and moms that will try to be better role models for our young people. With parenting comes responsibility. Yes, “Knowledge is Power” and it is never too late in life to learn.
I was so please to see that Mc Farland’s neighbors got a “helping hand”. Sometimes that’s all we need is a little help. But what’s most important is keeping our prioritys in order.
Joy/Pat Flinn on May 17, 2009 6:45 pm
What a blessing (that you and your family would receive a much needed home makeover….as You have blessed and touched so many lives. Keep up the good work. It is so refreshing to see men that step up to “the plate” and pass on a legacy of love, concern and encouragement to their families and to those less fortunate. May God continue to bless you as you pass on the many blessings he has given you. You were so thankful for what was done for you and so very humble. Again thank you for caring and sharing with others! Joy and Pat
Darcyl on May 17, 2009 7:42 pm
Thank You for putting yourself out there and reminding people that No matter how hard life may get as a single parent we can do the best that we can be.I just want one thing… Please tell me the quote about helping people up?
Delia on May 17, 2009 8:00 pm
Thank you for selecting a family that was so deserving of a makeover. How could one hold back on the tears while watching the family receive their gift of love from The Extreme Home Makeover team! What a humble and gentle man with a heart of gold! As a coach and an educator in the public school system, I can speak from experience when I say that we need more positive male role models for today’s youth, especially our African-American males. May God continue to bless Mr. McFarland, his boys, his Pack House Project, and his community. How can I donate books for his Pack House 2000 Project? Looking forward to hearing from you. Keep up the good work, Mr. McFarland. In everything you do, do it unto the Lord! You’re an inspiration! God bless you, friend. “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!”
Margo on May 18, 2009 5:00 am
What a wonderful story. It just shows us that if we live within God’s words and principals how wonderful our lives can become.
There was a lot of negative going on in his life, but his faith in God and himself made up climb and lift one behind him.
What a wonderful man, that he has so much love and shows it so openly. May God continue to bless him and his family, and may is sons always no that their hero is within their home and not outside.
May favor continue to follow you in all you do for everyone you touch.
Margo, Atlanta, GA
NANCY L BROWN on May 18, 2009 5:50 am
I JUST WANT TO SAY TO MR. MCFARLAND THAT HE IS THE MAN THAT HE IS SHOWING THAT I COULD BE DONE IF ONLY YOU JUST KEEP YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD. EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER IS MY FARVORITE SHOW NO ONE CALLS ME BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT OUR HOUSE LAST NIGHT WAS ONE OF THE BEST A YOUNG TAKING ARE OF THREE BOYS ALONE THIS IS SO GREAT SO JUST KEEP TRUSTING IN THE LORD AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO MY HUSBAND IS AN ARTIST AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU SO ARTWORK FOR YOU TO KEEP OR SELL TO GET MONEY TO HELP YOUR CAUSE MIDWAY,FL.
FELICIA BUTLER on May 18, 2009 7:48 am
I WAS SO TOUCH BY BERNARD MCFARLAND, THAT WATCHING THE SHOW JUST HAD ME CRYING AND CRYING. THAT WAS NOTHING BUT THE MOVE OF GOD. WORKING IN HIS FAVOR! BERNARD KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND GOD WILL CONITUE TO USE YOU!
Robby on May 18, 2009 11:37 am
Good one brother Bernard McFarland. Its quiet refreshing to see stories of hope, courage and brevity. We should all see that Bernard mission was to do good and one day he will be on ABC Home Makeover. It all starts with small things like the seed of a mustard tree. People always rush to buy a lottery ticket and hope to become instant millionaires but when you look at brother Bernard’s philosophy, he had been a millionaire long time ago. So lets step it up and start helping as little as we can. I am doing my little bit: http://www.givingothers.org
Eunice on May 18, 2009 1:44 pm
Mr. McFarland,
I did not get to see the whole show on May 17, 2009 but one of my former Clients called me to watch the show. She was pulled in by your story but most of all your company name was quite similar to mine before it was closed in May 30 of 2008. My company name was Packhouse & More.
For what I did get to see “Great story”, continued blessings for you and your sons.
Eunice
Nicki on May 18, 2009 2:30 pm
I cried so much as I watched this story. This man was not only deserving of this because he had needs. I believe he had sown seeds in the lives of others for years and basicly reaped it all back all in 1 Day. This story made me feel so good for many reasons, but to name 2: #1: it re-enforced the fact that most Americans do genuinely have a heart to help his neighbor; this was shown through Mr. McFarland and the many volunteers and companies; #2: I was glad to see the media show an African American man that is a responsible father, along with the other great men of that community. America is so blessed to have so many wonderful people like the ones that rallied together on this show. It was Fantastic! I am still so Overwhelmed!
MELVIN & MARY STROUD on May 19, 2009 2:09 pm
Mr. Mcfarland, truely David was after GOD’s own heart, but you capture the hearts of the people. America loves you. When you are reaching for that moon, just know that JESUS is that star that came down form heaven just to bless you,your family, friends and your community. What a mighty God we serve! I’m so proud for you. May God continue to give you the blessing of Abramham, and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
With a grateful heart,
The Stroud’s Melvin and Mary
jumarie on May 20, 2009 10:21 pm
I just watched the McFarland’s episode tonight, and I was really touch by Bernard story. He and his family truly deserved all the blessing they received. Hope he continue to be an inspiration and a mentor to the young kids around his town.
Hope his 3 kids will grow up to be like him.
W. Harris on May 26, 2009 6:35 pm
I watched the show and thought about the pachouse,etc. I have a small library of books myself and would like to donate some of them to you Mr. McFarland. Especially the one by Randall Pinkerton (he was the apprentice) He book is a must read for allof your boys and anyone that wants to make it in todays world. I also have books on Government, Finance, and historical books all young black men need to know about the world we live in. I have books of Iraq, Jack WElch, Valarie PLAME wILSON, dONALD Trump, SIdney Poitier, Vernon Jordan,and the pursuit of happiness just to name a few. I think my books would love to belong to a good home where all could share them..this would give your group at the pachouse an opportunity to read them and pass them around.
Brian P on August 2, 2009 3:51 pm
I just saw a recording of this show today. I grew up just two blocks from this home, and moved away in 1982 when I joined the Military. As the homeowners in the show said, that used to be a very nice neighborhood in the 60’s & 70’s, when I was a kid. I was very moved by that family helping out the community. I wish I had known about this when it happened, because I would have loved to help out.
Yvonne Heimann on August 21, 2009 12:19 pm
need to know info on wind turbine for yard/electrical efficency etc. Brand name, where to purchase, etc.
Ereka Watson-Lee on October 17, 2009 9:18 am
I have always known that there are strong, nurturing, responsible Black men in our communities and this belief was more than validated by Mr. McFarland. I am so very proud of the kind of man that he represents and the kind of man that he is to his sons and his community. This show has great purpose for uplifting and inspiring. The selection of this family speaks volumes. Thank you for sharing the McFarland family with mine. Ereka Watson-Lee, Orlando, FL
Tricia on October 17, 2009 9:30 am
God is holding this family in His hands. I just viewed the show and was humbled at Mr. McFarland’s positive outlook on life. How can anyone not read a book after this. How can anyone not inspire someone who needs it. Books can take us into a tale of endless travels. Into the past, present and future. All for us to treasure, and to learn from.
Read a book a month, and see where it takes you, whether, it be in the mind of someone else, or to the sands of Arabia. Mr. McFarland, let me say that, you have made me cry for our children. Blessings to you my friend for giving children the imagination to dream, and hopefully they will make those dreams come true.
toni on October 17, 2009 9:42 am
Ive just watched episode one of the McFarlands extreme makeover..have to wait untill tomorrow for episode 2 ..boooo…
I was and am always touched by extreme makeover home edition.. Its wonderful to see a single father with so much love for so many people especially for his sons..they show so much promise of bright futures..Kudos to Mr. McFarland for raising 3 wonderful boys!! Booyaa!!! Best wishes and thankyou for being an inspiration! Toni J.