ABC27 WHTM Keefer family thanks community for 'extreme' home

Keefer family thanks community for 'extreme' home

The Keefers are still taking in a crazy week. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition just completed a massive overhaul of their home - much of it specially designed for one of four sons, Brian. He was paralyzed in a gymnastics accident a few years ago.

Now, thanks to more than 5,000 volunteers, the Keefers have what they call a 'dream home.'

"There are memories in there," said Brian Keefer. "And we're going to make new memories in this new one, it's fantastic."

Sunday, the Keefers finally heard the three magic words, "Move that bus!"

 "It looks like a story book," said Scott Keefer of the new home. "I mean when I turn around and look at this house, it doesn't look real to us."

The house was built with love. Some volunteers only slept a few hours each night before hurrying back to work on the Keefers' home.

"It was just so amazing to see central Pennsylvania pull together and just do this," said Beth Musser with Musser Home Builders.

"I was really really moved last night by, the whole week, by the father-son bond that exists in this family," said Brady Connell, executive producer for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. "It is really intense."

The Extreme build centered around Brian and a new wing of the house custom built to aid his recovery.

"I know how amazing that's going to be for Brian," said father Steve Keefer. "For his progress to get better. It's just going to promote it faster and faster."

"I never thought that I'd have anything like that," said Brian. "It's just amazing that I've got my own little place now, and it's just great that I can get away if I need to."

"We kept the steps for various reasons... one is because you have to get to the second floor," joked builder Jeff Musser. "But also, we really believe Brian will walk up those steps some day."

Mom Dawn Keefer said a million "thank you's" would never be enough, but wrote her thoughts in a card. "We thank God for all of you and for his goodness in healing Brian," she said reading from the card. "Please continue to pray for Brian. He will walk again. Love, the Keefer family."

Jeff Musser is trying to raise enough money to pay off the Keefer family's mortgage. You can help by making donations at any Fulton Bank. You can also mail a check to Musser Home Builders at 10 Barrens Church Road, Dillsburg, PA 17019. Make all check payable to "EMHE 901 Build/Family Fund".

Musser said it's been his goal all along to pay off the Keefers' mortgage, and with help from the community, they're almost there.