Apogee was honored to have been selected by J.S. Hovnanian & Sons Builders to create a documentary on their journey through the Extreme Makeover - Home Edition show. They took on the incredible task of building the Marrero Family a new home in less than 100 hours from July 30th through August 5th, 2007.

Matt Harnick of Apogee with Billy Joe, Joshua, Ethan, Steven, Jonas, and Victor Marrero outside on the front lawn of their new home in Pennsauken, NJ after the Extreme Makeover.

L to R - Stephen Hovnanian, Tamar Hovnanian, Jirair Hovnanian, Matt Harnick, Peter Hovnanian and Garo Hovnanian on the front lawn of the new Marrero home.

I've seen some amazing things during my time as a videographer, but the outpouring of support, talent, determination, money, love, and commitment from an entire community, and what this community was able to accomplish in less than 100 hours leaves me without words. Very shortly I will begin work on a documentary for J.S. Hovnanian & Sons that I hope can pay some homage to them, and also the countless thousands who came together to make life better for Victor Marrero and his five sons. In doing so, and I think I can speak for everyone who was a part of this project, I learned quite a bit about what the amazing things we are capable of when we all work together.

In speaking with the Hovnanian Family, their company, trade-partners, friends, relatives, volunteers, and everyone else that was a part of this monumental task, I never once heard the word "I." I never heard the words "It can't be done." This past week was all about commitment to making it happen. I spoke with some ABC personnel behind the scenes, who confided in me that this was by far the most amazing build they've worked on, made amazing by the people who worked day and night, non-stop, to build this home.

As I start to piece together the footage that I've collected through my week-long journey, I'll start to include short interviews with the people who made this possible. I want to thank J.S. Hovnanian & Sons for giving me the opportunity of working alongside them on this once in a lifetime experience.

One week after the Marrero's new home was built, Jirair Hovnanian, the patriarch of the family and founder of J.S. Hovnanian & Sons, passed away. He had been ill, and was in the hospital when the build started, but insisted on coming to the site once released from the hospital. I had the privilege of interviewing him and speaking with him at length about the build, and learning quite a bit about him as well. I also was able to capture some behind the scenes footage of one extraordinary man that I'm fortunate to have met.

View a quick glimpse of "Mr. H" in this tribute video - also featured on the Philadelphia Inquirer's website.