10/8/2005 - Ottawa, Canada: When the producers of TLC's popular home makeover series While You Were Out learned about Sandra Marbeth, an SOS USA mother who was caring for eight brothers and sisters at SOS Children's Villages Lockport Illinois, just outside of Chicago, they decided to re-design her entire home.
In its most ambitious episode to date, While You Were Out used its entire team of designers, carpenters and crew to create a Holiday/Vacation themed home for the dedicated mom. The cast and crew were joined by Lockport volunteers and one high-profile, high-energy volunteer - Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. The Duchess, was front and centre as she donned the bright blue SOS Children's Villages team t-shirt, rolled up her sleeves and went to work. The two-hour special is scheduled to air on August 13, at 9 PM (ET/PT)
"This has been an amazing project for the entire While You Were Out team to come together," noted show host Evan Farmer. "To see everyone rally around Sandra - the cast, the crew, the volunteers - was an enriching and moving experience."
Sandra began at the SOS Children's Village in Lockport in 1995, taking in a group of eight siblings. After the two oldest siblings were grown and moved out on their own, Sandra legally adopted the six youngest and accepted another 10-year-old child into her family.
Her commitment to children in need is an inspiration, and prompted SOS-USA, TLC and The Duchess to develop this well deserved surprise home makeover.
At the end of the episode, Sandra returns home to a completely re-designed home and a royal welcome.