FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2011

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Coming to Northeast Iowa and Community Invited to Pep Rally at UNI’s McLeod Center

Cedar Falls, Iowa — ABC’s Emmy-winning hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has selected a Northeast Iowa family to feature on its award-winning show that changes the lives of families and inspires remarkable community support. Each week, the show travels across the country building a new home for a deserving family.

Larson Construction Co., Inc., of Independence, Iowa, has been selected as the builder for the project. Larson Construction Co., Inc. is a family-owned business that has been in the construction industry since the 1960’s and encompasses both general contracting for commercial and industrial buildings and project management.

Struxture Architects has been selected as the architect for the project. Located in Waterloo and West Des Moines, Struxture has designed commercial, educational and civic projects throughout Iowa and the Midwest since 1934.

While Larson is the main builder and a major contributor to the project, the project relies on volunteers and Northeast Iowa residents to join. A pep rally will be held on Tuesday, September 20, at the University of Northern Iowa’s McLeod Center to kick off the volunteer effort that will help accomplish this amazing feat for a deserving family.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 6 p.m. Parking and admission are free, but participants are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item, which will be donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.

The pep rally will be hosted by Gary Kroeger, formerly of Saturday Night Live and currently Creative Director at the Mudd Group, he’ll be joined by several members of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition production team who will talk about the show and give information on how people can help.

The event will also feature the Independence High School Marching Band, UNI cheerleaders and singer Elea Uhl, of Decorah.

The exact town and family details will not be released until after the door knock on Sunday, October 2, where Ty Pennington, team leader of the show, and his design team, will show up on the selected Northeast Iowa family’s doorstep.

Larson Construction is inviting volunteers to provide their time, support and resources to help ensure the success of this life-altering project. Interested individuals or companies can find more information on how to volunteer time and/or resources at www.joinextreme.com/iowa.

There will also be a food drive for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, which will be set up collecting canned or packaged food donations at the makeover site.

“We are thrilled that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has selected a Northeast Iowa family for their next makeover and we are excited to not only make a difference in the lives of a deserving family, but to also play a part in inspiring our entire area for a great cause,” said Ed Larson, President of Larson Construction.

For more information on volunteering visit www.joinextreme.com/iowa. To make a monetary donation toward the Family/Build Fund, make checks to Family/Build Fund, c/o BankIowa, PO Box 229, Independence, Iowa 50644

The Emmy award winning reality program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, now in its 9th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced by Brady Connell and George Verschoor. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 7:00-8:00 p.m., CST on ABC.


PEP RALLY SUMMARY

WHAT: On Tuesday, September 20, a pep rally will be held for volunteers interested in being part of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build in Northeast Iowa.

WHO: Gary Kroeger as host and special appearances by Milan Vasic, Senior Producer of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as well as other representatives from the show.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 20, 6 – 8 p.m.

WHERE: University of Northern Iowa’s McLeod Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa

WHY: Learn what Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is all about and how they bring communities together while changing lives. The rally will also provide those interested in volunteering or being a part of the project an opportunity to learn how they can help and get a jumpstart on signing up to volunteer.

Find out the build schedule, the need for volunteers and how everyone can help. The team will also field some questions from the crowd.

To make a monetary donation toward the Family/Build Fund, make checks to Family/Build Fund, c/o BankIowa, PO Box 229, Independence, Iowa 50644.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Individual interviews with Larson, Executives from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and special guests can be scheduled before and after the pep rally.

During the weeklong build, a media tent will be available for all qualified media members. To schedule interviews with builders, family and talent or to request information on credentials, please contact Janelle Darst at 319-231-2435 or Janelle.darst@uni.edu

Additionally, all video crews and photographers are welcomed.