Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center's 'rescue' revealed for NBC show - what we know
That’s a wrap!
Viewers will still have to wait a few weeks to see the finished results, but a select group of city officials, staff members, and project volunteers were granted a sneak peek at the renovations made to the food and clothing pantry at the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center in Gardner on Thursday.
Their reactions were filmed for a sequence of NBC’s “George to the Rescue,” an Emmy award-winning show that offers surprise renovations for families and organizations facing unique challenges. Host George Oliphant has been working with local contractors since July “rescuing” MVOC’s pantry for an episode scheduled to air in November.
“We need to appreciate our veterans, and you guys (at MVOC) do it better than ever,” said Oliphant. “I want everyone to see (this show) and say, ‘We need that in our community, we need that in our town, we need support our veterans, we need to show them the love that they deserve, and we need to give them the resources they need.”
Local electricians, flooring crews, painters, and artists volunteered their time and resources and worked for eight weeks to give the pantry a much-needed upgrade, which includes new lighting, ceilings, quartz countertops, and improved the high-speed internet signal throughout MVOC’s Central St. headquarters. The center also received $10,000 from National Grid and 50 donated laptops from Comcast.
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Local contractors volunteered labor, materials for project
“They did a beautiful job with the space – it doesn’t look like a basement anymore,” said MVOC Executive Director Dr. Stephanie Marchetti. “I can’t wait for everybody to see it.”
Navy veteran Scott Hodgkins said he was impressed by what the “George to the Rescue” crew and volunteer contractors had done to the pantry.
“They put more lights in and put a new floor in – it’s awesome,” he said.
“The pantry was in dire need of an updating, that’s for sure,” said Cathy McWilliams, founder and MVOC board president. “What they did in there is just amazing. It provides a warm, welcoming place for our clients to come in and be serviced. It means a lot.”
A design team from Jane Barnes Interiors in Worcester was among the volunteers working on the project. Owner Jane Barnes said it was an honor and privilege to be a part of the renovations and support local veterans.
“I wanted the space to be light and bright and a source of positivity for these folks because these are challenging times, and to be able to give them just a little bit of love and happiness – I really feel like I accomplished that,” she said, adding that her concept for the space incorporated an Americana, red-white-and-blue motif.
More: State awards $20 million to MVOC for veterans housing project - here's what they're building
'Reveal' episode to air Nov. 4
Oliphant, who said his show had recently been renewed for a 15th season, said the filming of ‘reveal days’ remained an exciting moment even after 165 episodes.
“I am blessed in that a reveal day is like winning the Super Bowl 12 times a year,” he said. “It is incredible to be able to unveil and show recipients of the rescue what we were able to do. Whether it’s a new family or a new organization, it’s always a new story – it’s the conclusion of the show, but it’s the beginning of their next chapter.”
The full episode, which marks the finale of the show’s 14th season, will air locally on NBC Boston (WBTS) at 9:30 a.m. and on NECN at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4. “George to the Rescue” is also available on Peacock TV and YouTube, according to the network.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center's George to the Rescue revealed
