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Stumbleupon'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' crew in area for local family
More: Comment | Photos
Related: Grandfather sheds tears over 'Extreme Makeover' dream come true
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
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The Akers family and members of Fairfield's Dallis Designer Homes pose for the media Wednesday afternoon, July 9, 2008 during a brief media event in front of the Akers' home in West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio.
Ginger Akers and her daughter Faith exit their house as the crew from the ABC network television show 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' greet them Wednesday morning, July 9, 2008 in West Chester Twp.WEST CHESTER TWP. — A bus carrying Ty Pennington and his "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" arrived with its entourage here Wednesday, July 9, to build a West Chester Twp. family a new home.
Community members tried for nearly two years to raise funds to build a wheel-chair accessible home for the Akers family, but when Greg Akers heard a knock at the door from the ABC crew just before 9 a.m. he said he realized his daughter would finally be freed from her virtual prison at their 6869 Manor Drive bi-level home. Brook, 7, has to be carried from room to room and only has freedom when she is at school or out of the house. She and her sister Faith, 4, have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, while their brother Christian Akers, 10, has Crohn's Disease.
"It's been an exciting roller coaster, being nominated," Greg Akers said. "Even when you know it might happen — still it's just so exciting. We jumped up screaming when it happened," he said of the knock at the door. "God had a big plan for us here."
In seven days, hundreds of volunteers and Fairfield-based Dallis Homes are expected to complete the house, said Patti Stehlin, of Star One Realtors.
While the Akers are on vacation in San Francisco, their home goods will be packed in containers and demolition will begin at 11 a.m. Friday. Volunteers will work around the clock to build the new ranch that backs up to Hopewell Junior School.
Spectators are welcome at the event but must park at the Voice of America Park, security representatives said.
"This is a very deserving family," said Hopewell Elementary School Principal Mark Westendorf. "What always impresses me is their positive outlook, their strong faith in God, their support of the school and their love for family."
Vice Principal Denise Hayes and teachers Beth Chapman and Staci Hathaway first submitted a video to the ABC network asking them to consider the family. When ABC didn't respond, Chapman and community member Bren Reisch formed fundraising committees that raised more than $50,000 and garnered donations of a roof, materials and supplies from area builders and retailers. Then, Reisch said she got 4,000 signatures on a banner at an Upward end-of-the season celebration, which she submitted to ABC along with a video of the family, letters of recommendation and newspaper articles.
Lakota staff members are expected to volunteer along with those involved in the Aker's church, Princeton Pike Church of God and the Upward sports program.
"How fun it has been to just catch on to a wave and let it evolve to where it all is," said Jay Shephard, a volunteer for Upward. "How cool it is to know you can put a community together where everyone does a small little thing. You add up all those things in a community and a great thing comes as a result."
