Four years ago, Kirkland received national attention when ABC’s show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” renovated a Kirkland home.

And recently, with less press, but just as much heart and gusto, the Snyder family received a home makeover of their own.

Dick and Joanne Snyder have lived in Kirkland since 1956, when they wed. Since then, they have raised two kids, earned a living through Boeing and local real estate, and lived in a house as old as their marriage.

Just as the Synder family has grown and changed, so has the house. It has been moved from its original location in Houghton to Bridle Trails, and was expanded for extra space.

All those years took a toll on the house, and on Dick’s body.

Five years ago, Dick lost a lung, which limited his mobility. Rather than a successful recovery, his health spiraled downward. Within two years he experienced a sequence of health problems, often overlapping, including esophageal damage, rib injury, pneumonia, heart arrhythmia, and an abscess in his lung.

In and out of the hospital, weak, and dependent on his wife for care, Dick’s health began to mirror the house. The roof acquired several leaks, the cedar fence fell apart, and the yard began to entomb the house.

“Over the last few years it’s been sliding on me,” Dick admitted on a recent afternoon at his home, after another brief stay in the hospital.

Then, a conversation between the Snyder’s and their neighbor, Pam Fox, planted an idea in Fox’s mind.

She spoke with her husband, Greg, about undertaking the repairs at the Snyder’s home. Greg works for Holmberg Company, a commercial mechanical company in Kirkland, and he mentioned the idea to his boss.

“Holmberg does one community service project each year, and this one fell in their lap,” Pam explained.

Within two months, the idea had grown into a full renovation, complete with donated equipment and matching blue t-shirts for Holmberg employees.

“They descended on the house like ants,” Joanne said. “In one day, they stripped, sealed, repaired, and installed a new roof, rebuilt the front fence, and landscaped the yard. They even pruned the rhodies, which were overgrown, big, gangly things, and they pulled every weed in sight.”

The help was overwhelming for Dick and Joanne.

“It was amazing,” Dick said. “It was the first time I could lay down and have people work on the house. I’ve never seen a response like that.”

Joanne agreed: “I’m not verbose enough to say how much this has meant to us,” she said. “They don’t even know us. They never asked for a thing except to use the restroom.”

The Fox’s and the Holmberg team ensured that the Snyder’s didn’t lay a finger to work during the five-hour overhaul.

“She (Joanne) said, ‘Can I help?’ and I said no! She’s just had toe surgery for pete’s sake!” Pam laughed.

“All I did was make peanut butter cookies and crab cakes,” Joanne said.

“And I didn’t get any,” Dick interjected with a playfully grumpy smile.

The Snyder’s weren’t the only ones involved with positive attitudes. The Holmberg employees gave up their Saturday to work through the rain.

“The guys on the roof were singing and dancing the whole time!” Joanne said.

Neighbors and relatives joined Holmberg, and contributed hands to work or words to encourage. The total number of participants surpassed 30.

Local businesses were also on board with the effort. United Rentals donated compressors, air nail guns, and other tools; Red Apple Market contributed six cases of water; Bridle Trails Starbucks offered four boxes of coffee; Ace Hardware gave paint brushes and buckets; and Dairy Queen printed coupons for the volunteers.

“It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” Joanne said.