Making history

‘Operation Build’ to renovate Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House in Fort Lauderdale is getting a makeover thanks to “Operation Build,” a renovation show on the History Channel.

The show is produced by Coconut Creek-based Insight Television Productions LLC. The halfhour home series “travels all over the country discovering great home improvement concepts,” said Mark Gibson, Insight’s integrated media specialist.

“Sometimes we forget there’s a lot going on in our backyard,” said Lysa Liemer, the company’s executive producer. That’s why Insight is co-producing a four-part miniseries focusing on the Ronald McDonald House.

The series, “Creating a Home Away From Home, Labor of Love Makeover,” is tentatively scheduled to start Sept. 5.

Ronald McDonald House provides a place to stay for children with long-term illnesses and their families during treatment.

After a relative of one of the producers spent time there and brought it to Liemer’s attention, the group thought they could make a difference with new technology and make the bedrooms extra cozy.

“We took the TV people on a walk-through and gave them our wish list,” said Soraya RiveraMoya, executive director of the Fort Lauderdale location.

That wish list includes making more room for storage, modernizing guest bedrooms and installing new flooring in some areas.

“I’ll be there with a hammer when the work starts,” Gibson said.

“We’re very excited,” Rivera-Moya said. “The families here are going to love it. We’re going to incorporate families and volunteers on the show.” Don Crinklaw can be reached at dcrinklaw@ tribune.com.