"Extreme Makeover" and Justin Bieber Promote Dangers of Distracted Driving

"Extreme Makeover" was in Texas this week helping out the Brown family. The Brown family lost a daughter while she was texting and driving. "Extreme Makeover" was there to help this family move forward by giving them a new home. Justin Bieber played a role in this episode and "Bieber fever" on "Extreme Makeover" is the result.

Since the loss of their oldest child a year ago, Johnny Mac and Jeanne Brown have tried to put their life back together again. They started visiting high schools in Texas to talk about distracted driving and its dangers. They've wanted to take their message across the nation, but didn't have the funds to do that.

One problem the Brown's faced is living with the memories of their daughter inside the home. When Alex died, they left her bedroom exactly as it was and never changed it. As Johnny Mac said, "It's hard for parents to go in there and change that. It's easier to let someone else do it" and that's where "Extreme Makeover" comes in.

The Brown's, Johnny Mac and his wife Jeanne, along with 12 year old Katrina were sent to New York City by "Extreme Makeover." While they were away, the Brown's trailer home was removed from its foundation and donated to Homes for Humanity. The Brown's were getting a new modular home. A new home would help them move forward in their daily lives without constant sadness from memories of Alex.

"Extreme Makeover" chose five of Katrina's closest friends from school and flew them to New York City to surprise Katrina. After surprising Katrina, they then took Katrina on a mystery ride to a mystery event. The event was to meet Justin Bieber who was performing in New York and to attend his concert. The girls all oogled over Justin Bieber screaming that they had Bieber fever.

Katrina got to sit with Justin Beiber alone and talk to him about her sister. Justin Bieber generously donated $1 from every ticket sold to her parent's cause. The concert was, of course, a sellout crowd.

I've never been to a Justin Bieber concert, however, he said that he always has a banner at his shows that reads, "Don't Text and Drive". This tied in nicely with this particular "Extreme Makeover" show.

"Extreme Makeover" started up the "Remember Alex Brown" foundation while the Brown's were in New York. Members are asked to sign a pledge that they will not text while driving. They are given a thumb ring that will help them remember their pledge.

"Extreme Makeover" had 50 different high schools in the 50 states sign up for the pledge and each school made a video taking the pledge. The video was shown to the Brown's upon their return from New York City. You can take the pledge by going to this link on ABC's website. The Brown's main focus is to get the word out to high schools across the nation.

Actress Emma Roberts was also on the show to help design Katrina's new bedroom. Roberts was there because she had received a ticket from texting and driving and she, too, wanted to get the word out about distracted driving.

The Brown's now have a new home and a new office to continue their message about distracted driving. They have a distracted driver simulator that they can take with them to schools where students can simulate texting while driving and see the dangers. Sprint donated $50,000 to their foundation.

Watch for the Brown's as they may be coming to a high school near you.

Source: ABC's "Extreme Makeover"