I think that people tend to get very caught up in the excitement of something like EMHE coming to their area and forget the big picture... It is a TV show! It is not a charity group, not a not-for-profit, but a show that is out to produce ratings, capture the audience and make $$. And I am sure those are the motivating force behind chosing the family they chose. I think a big part is the connection with the Boxing hall of fame (in Canastota) and the Hill's boxing story. I am sure if they had found a family closer to Canastota with a good boxing story, they would have. Notice the builder was from Canastota??? They also did some shooting at the Boxing Hall of Fame and the director(boxing expert) had a hand in the design of the boxing gym. Also, they needed a community that could accomodate their needs. Such as use of the local schools and storage areas.
As for volunteers... They had more than enough volunteers to begin with, but once many people found out the family they backed out. I don't think because they didn't believe in the chosen family, but because they believed rumors that it was such and such family. I heard rumors that it was to be one of two families in Mattydale, a family in Baldwinsville, a family in Bridgeport, one in Verona, one in Waterloo and even in Watertown. So of course people were disappointed it wasn't 'thier' family that they believed it was when they signed up. As for needed more volunteers, if you watch the show... they ALWAYS need more volunteers. Just about every episode they say that they aren't sure they are going to make the deadline and have to put the word out to local media. They say something like, they aren't just building a house, but a house AND a boxing center so they need extra... blah, blah. But the reality is these structures have not only been planned for months, but most was pre-fabricated in a warehouse in Westmoreland. FYI- this family was picked from the very begining, the major companies involved knew exactly the town, home and family before even signing on.
And for the Syracuse area companies? C&S was the main organizer for this build. I don't think they could have found a company nearly as diverse to organize this build anywhere. C&S has many divisions which really made it perfect. They designed the website, organized the volunteers, there main division is build and design. So they have environmental engineers to do all the survaying etc., a construction crew, quieter homes division specializes in designing heating/air conditioning, windows, roofing, etc. They even have a crain company and donated the crains on site. Besides, by C&S standards, Geneva is very local, they actually do very little of thier business in Syracuse. They really are every where! I know my DH has had accounts such as the Buffalo runway extension, the Plattburg airport move to the old air force base, he even has accounts in the Hamptons.
I also think that this build will actually hurt the Hill's businesses. People are going to have the idea that since the Hill's got free services at the expense of the comunity that the Hills should extend it to them. People are going to want discounts when hiring the sealing company for thier drive way and they are going to want discounts and freebies from the jewelry shop. Parents are going to be lining up at the new gym to get their kids into the new, improved free boxing lessons. How will Tim be able to keep up with demand and still keep it free? I think when the dust all settles, this is going to have a big negative impact on the Hill family. Which is very sad.