A homeowner in Northeastern Wisconsin
soon will be yelling the words “Move that bus!”
The ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will select one of the five area finalists for its next fixer-upper project in the region.
“These families are extremely deserving … and are leaders in the community,” said Michelle Stimpson, spokeswoman for Lexington Homes, which is the lead contractor on the project.
The recipient of the build will be notified with a knock on the door on Aug. 14 by the show’s cast, including host Ty Pennington. Work on the project gets under way the next day.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” features a family receiving a home makeover from local builders. The show airs at 7 p.m. Sundays.
Just what they will be building at that home remains undisclosed.
“We’re excited to have this opportunity to do this within our community and within Northeastern Wisconsin,” Jeff Marlow, president of Lexington Homes, said at a news conference Friday.
“We’re going to be looking for volunteers and looking for the community to rally around the party that is going to be involved in receiving the home.”
The pro bono build is expected to take 105 hours, but Marlow said he’d like to finish it sooner and expects to donate at least 2,000 hours on the project.
“We’ll be working night and day, and lights will be up … to be able to make this happen,” he said. “Our company loves a challenge, and the challenge is (to build it in) 105 hours — and our goal is we want to build it in 90 hours.”
Marlow said Lexington contacted the show a few years back and asked how they could get involved with the program. Ten days ago they were told about their involvement.
A pep rally scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Lambeau Field Atrium will feature entertainment and provide information to would-be volunteers about getting involved in the project. Attendees are asked to bring a can of food for donation to a local pantry.
BY NATHAN PHELPS • NPHELPS@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM • JULY 31, 2010