Meet The Harrison Family


(Photo caption) Left to right: Megan Okland-Jones; Chase, Gordon, Ben, Claire, and Lisa Harrison; Brett and Randy Okland.

Gordon Harrison, a contractor by trade, operates his own cabinet-making and woodworking shop in Bountiful, Utah, where he and his family live. Just one month after Gordon finally mustered up the courage to start his own cabinetry business, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While undergoing chemotherapy, Gordon watched an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and spent his days thinking of ways to remodel the kitchen of his neighbors, the Gandys. After almost a year enlisting the help of community members and local vendors to donate time and materials, Gordon and his neighbors performed the remodel. When they returned from vacation, the Gandys were surprised to find a wonderful new kitchen; including new cabinets and appliances.

In between recovering from surgery, providing for his family and helping out his neighbors, Gordon's own home had fallen into disrepair. Noting the condition the home was in, his neighbors - to whom he had given so much - decided it was their turn to give back. Together the neighborhood submitted an application to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, on behalf of the family, asking for help to make the Harrison's dreams come true. The over 40 signatures were enough to make the application stand out from the thousands of others EMHE receives each week. The result of their neighborhood’s nomination will be shown nationally on ABC October 9th, 2005!