Fans, Students Swarm ‘Extreme Makeover’ Site With Donations

By ABC-7 News/Web Producer Joe Villasana

EL PASO — Chants of “Yes we can” could be heard throughout the halls of Marian Manor Elementary as students held a pep rally with some of the crew of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

The ABC show is in El Paso building a dream home for the Ruiz Family, who won after they were nominated by CNN. The cable network nominated Maria Ruiz for CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2008 for her humanitarian work with the poor in Juarez.

Friday morning, students of all ages honored Ruiz’s work by organizing a pep rally to gather food, toys and clothing for the poor in Juarez. “This is something amazing that will stay with you for the rest of your life,” said a school administrator to the students.

Hundreds ofstudentsfiled intothe school’s hallways wearing yellow hard hats as they marched towards their school gym. They were led by teachers and their cheerleader squad in chants of “Yes we can.” Many help up canned foods as they marched into gym.

There, they were greeted by some of the show’s crews. A series of tables in the gym were topped off with clothing, towels, toys and food.

Later in the day, a group of 25 students dropped off bags full of supplies at the construction site’s donation tent. They were not the only ones motivated by Ruiz’s work. Shuttles constantly dropped off dozens of spectators who not only wanted to witness the amazing feat at the site, but also wanted to do their part in gathering supplies for the poor in our Sister City.