After nearly 48 hours, 51-year-old David Heath was the last one standing at the Hands on a House competition at the 12th annual Brownwood Reunion Celebration, winning a custom built hunting cabin Sunday evening.
A large crowd gathered around Sunday afternoon to watch as the last few contestants endure the competition by not only keeping their hand on the house, but several added endurance challenges. Heath was named the winner after balancing cans of green beans in one hand for well over an hour while keeping the other hand on the house.
At the start of the competition on Friday, there were 28 contestants, each eliminated as they gave in to the grueling contest. The last two contestants, Heath and Lee Ischy (also of Brownwood) lasted 47 ½ hours. Ischy was awarded a deer blind as the second place winner.
Heath stated that he and Ischy were only a month apart in age.
“We were both old guys so it worked out,” said Heath. “He (Ischy) is a wonderful guy.”
Heath said that the other contestants were a great source of strength for him up to the end of the contest. On his application to participate, Heath explained that he wanted to win the house and use it as a guest house on his own property for his mom.
“Thanks to the other contestants, they helped me so much,” said Heath. “They were cheering me on and really supported me, they were great.”
The first thing Heath asked his wife for was a really big Gatorade. When asked what he wanted to do now that the contest was over, Heath jokingly said, “Run five miles.”
Sunday, the remaining few contestants also participated in other endurance challenges such as balancing on one leg and holding a tray of cans above their head.
Saturday night, contestants competed in a costume contest, which was won by Todd Lewis (Principal of Coggin Elementary) who dressed as a Deer Hunter (deer who was a hunter). Votes for the costume contest were cast by Reunion goers and the winner received a much needed 30 minute break.
Local charities Good Samaritan Ministries and St. John’s Food bank also benefited from the Hands on a House event with a canned food drive. Local businesses and schools collected food prior to the event kick-off and contestants on Hands on a House took donations of canned goods as well to earn an extra break from the house. They even marched in the Reunion Grand Parade asking for donations on Saturday. Todd Lewis won a 1 hour break for bringing in 1400 cans and Cody Crouch won a 30 minute break with 1100 cans.
Mark Campbell, Broker/Owner of Coldwell Banker, stated that the best part of the competition was the contestants.
“The contestants made it extremely special,” Campbell said. “The final six started at noon with some very physical competitions.”
Campbell explained that one of the contestants had some areas of need in his life and that when other contestants learned of this, they really want to help him out, so another great story may come from the friendships formed during the contest, Campbell said.
This year’s Hands on a House competition was sponsored by – COLDWELL BANKER, Mark Campbell & Associates, TEXAS BANK – Mortgage, LANDMARK LIFE Insurance Company, INGRAM CONCRETE LLC, and JOHNNY CANTWELL – Contractor.
Pictured from left to right – Liz Brown, Lee Ischy, David Heath, Laura Heath, and Greg Dodds.
Click the photo gallery below for photos from all three days of the competition.
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