Reed Mackley, the Ty Pennington of the project, persuaded the McKinleys to let the youths learn some construction skills while working on their house.

So the McKinleys and their grandchildren moved out for a week while the Mountain Ward makeover team rolled in, sometimes with volunteers working until 3:30 a.m. as another crew picked up where they left off.

Wednesday, the teens textured the ceiling, mounted vinyl siding, rock veneer, and prepped exterior walls for stucco.

The carport, which has been turned into a garage, received added supports, and the kitchen, which will be tiled this week, was prepped for new kitchen cabinets.

More than 80 businesses donated food for the workers and supplies and expertise for the home.

The money that would have been spent by the Mountain Ward for a youth trip — about $5,000 — has gone toward the makeover. But it would be nearly impossible to put a price tag on what has been donated, said Mountain Ward Bishop Nader Mikhail.

Friday, an anonymous donor provided enough money to finish the entire house, bringing the total value of goods, services and donated labor to about $200,000, said Jennie Taylor, a spokeswoman from the Mountain Ward.

Now, instead of finishing just the kitchen, living room and garage, the group fixed up four bedrooms, a laundry room, the halls and stairs. Enough money was also provided to put in a new stove, all new furniture, an automatic sprinkler system and a variety of housewares, Taylor said.

"The youth initially stepped in, and now the community has stepped it up," Taylor said in an e-mail.

London Clarke, 18, is one of the youth leaders who helped organize the project. She and the other teens raised money for the project.

"I've never seen a house built," Clarke said, adding that the whole project has been fascinating.

For Mack Huntsman, 14, what's fun is seeing what the home was before and seeing how far it's come.

"We're changing their lives," he said.

For Earl and Lynda McKinley, it's a dream come true.

"I don't know if I ever want to go to work again," Lynda said.

Earl said he's proud of the kitchen since he loves to cook, and he promised to make a big bowl of potato salad for the youths.

"I love you all," he said.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com