BEAUMONT, Texas — Sixteen foster children from Buckner Children’s Village ran through a crowd of volunteers May 13 yelling, “Move that Van” – Extreme Home Makeover, style.

They were returning to their home at Buckner Children’s Village after Keller Williams Realtors and community partners spent the day renovating the emergency shelter with the help of many community partners, a $20,000 endeavor.

Keller Williams Realty is an international organization, but for its company-wide day of service, the local franchise selected a very local goal. RED (Renew, Energize and Donate) Day is an annual Keller Williams Realty service initiative dedicated to improving local communities. On May 13, Keller Williams Realty market centers in the US and Canada closed their doors and the associates spent the day donating their time to renewing and energizing aspects of their local communities.

Buckner Children and Family Services was extremely pleased to have been selected as their charity of choice, said administrator Laura May.

“The emergency shelter is the first place a child goes when they are removed from a home due to abuse, neglect or abandonment,” she said. “So the gifts and the work done by more than 40 volunteers, does a lot to give the children a more cheerful environment.”

May said the emergency shelter houses up to 16 children between the ages of 5 and 17.

“It was truly like an extreme home makeover. They came in one day and painted five children's rooms, five bathrooms, and they accented walls in the living room and kitchen,” May said.

They also installed new kitchen appliances, including a double convection oven, and assembled an entertainment system with a big screen TV.

“It was great to watch the kids run into each of their rooms jumping up and down squealing with excitement of how bright and colorful their rooms were,” May said. “They each had two new outfits laid out on their bed and they showed off their new stuff to each other.

“It was such a sweet blessing for our staff and children to be uplifted by the generous spirit of giving. This home will be a cheerful, safe, welcoming place for so many children at a time of crisis.”

Leah Cleveland from Keller Williams Realty said that it was overwhelming to see the children's faces as they walked through their rooms that evening.

“It was an honor to work with Buckner and have the ability to make such an impact on not only these beautiful children, but every child who walks through those doors from this day forward.”

The following sponsors helped make the day a success:

Allstate Insurance: Mike Roby
American Home Shield: Susan Miguez
Arc Angels Motorcycle Ministry
Call AHollier / Handyman
Chem-Dry
Chili's - Beaumont
Cornerstone Media
Golden Triangle Title Services
Great American Cookie Company @ Parkdale Mall
Hadley’s Furniture
Home Masters Inspection Services
Hooks Title & Abstract Company
Lowe’s Home Improvement
M & D Supply
Manning's Office Supply
Market Basket
McClelland, Samuel, Fehnel & Busch, L.L.P.
McCowen Paint
Mr. Sparky Electrical Services
National Property Inspection
Patriot Bank Mortgage
PODS
R&P Employer Solutions, Inc. & RPR Group Payroll
Sherwin Williams
Stewart Title Company
Sutherlands
Target
The Mortgage Group
Triangle Blueprint
Tri-Supply
Wal-Mart
Wallpapers, Etc.
Wells Fargo Bank
Westin Mortgage: Calim Atkins & Ruby Martin
Video Monitoring
Zummo’s Meat Co.