Gerald Martinez and his family woke up to the news last week that their house would be renovated for the TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
Martinez is a pastor at Joshua's Vineyard Church. He and his family were rewarded the home makeover for their help in rebuilding the Trumbull Park Village - a neighborhood in southeast Albuquerque.
The family spent about $60,000 transforming the church into a refuge for the homeless and needy. They also bought two duplexes in the neighborhood to serve as mission outposts.
The Martinez family was flown to Disneyland as Atreus Homes and Communities and hundreds of volunteers began rebuilding the house.
"In the show, they tell you that they build the house in a week," said Darren Drevik, marketing director of Atreus Homes and Communities. "Well, that's a lie. We build it in four and a half days. The rest of the time is spent furnishing."
Drevik said the TV show asked Atreus Homes and Communities to select a needy Albuquerque family and donate materials to renovate their house.
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"'Extreme Makeover' contacted us. They said, 'Would you be interested in donating this and making it happen?'" he said. "Of course, we knew Papa Gerald from the news. We had seen him before, and we knew what he was doing down here."
Drevik said the family's renovated house at 404 Grove St. S.E. will be between 2,200 and 3,200 square feet.
Student Grace Floyd went to the set on Saturday to see the family's renovated home.
Floyd, who goes to church with the Martinez family, said they have earned the makeover.
"I think it's wonderful because they're really great people," she said. "They've done so much for such a long time in this whole area. It's a lot better than what it was when they first moved here, and I think it's a direct result of how they are with the people that live here."
Floyd said she appreciated the Martinez family's dedication to the community.
"They're really accepting of people who need help - like people who are on drugs, people who were in prostitution, homeless people," she said. "So, I think they totally deserve it."
Student Alexsandra Serrano said she visited the set to see the cast of the show, but she also likes how it helps people.
"I think that it's good that they pick families that make a difference in their communities," she said. "Especially the family they picked here in Albuquerque. From what I've heard, they do a lot to help the less fortunate, and they deserve this makeover."
The Martinez family is expected to return today to see their new home. The episode will air next season on ABC.
