By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
LEXINGTON ó Hundreds of people attended a pep rally this morning to build excitement for a coming “Extreme Makeover Home Edition,” which will build a new home for a Triad family.
This coming Wednesday, the ABC show’s host, Ty Pennington, will use his bullhorn to give a “Good Morning” wake-up call to a selected family. The identity of that family remains a secret, even to the builders and volunteers who will be involved in the project.
By Nov. 17, the house will be finished and unveiled to the family. The project allots a total of 106 hours to demolish the existing residence and build a new home.
Plans call for a two-story, 3,100-square foot house to replace the existing structure.
Hedrick Creative Building of Lexington, headed by Jason Hedrick, is serving as contractor for the project.
David Eller, a principal in Makson Plumbing and Construction Inc. of Salisbury, expects to devote 30 people to the project and be part of the construction management team over five days.
Eller was on hand this morning for the rally at Reeds Baptist Church, where the show’s executive producer, Conrad Ricketts, introduced key producers.
Ricketts said each project is not only life-changing for the needy families selected but also for the people who join forces to build the house.
All of the time and materials for the makeover are donated. This is the 165th home built in the show’s seven-year history.
Read more about Eller’s role and the planning behind this “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” show in Saturday’s Salisbury Post.