LOCAL ELECTRICIANS DONATE LABOR FOR HIT TELEVISION PROGRAM
South Burlington, Vt. - (Sept. 6, 2007) - Volunteers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 are lending their expertise to a wildly popular reality television show.
Beginning Sept. 7, a team from "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," an award-winning program on ABC-TV that refurbishes the dwellings of deserving families, plans to overhaul the deteriorating Athens, Vt., home of the Vitale Family. Members of the IBEW Local 300 from Sherwin Electric (www.sherwin-electric.com) will handle the electrical work for the week-long project.
ABC Team Leader Ty Pennington and crew will design the residence so it is safe and handicap accessible. All renovations, which are being overseen by Vermont-based general contractor the McKernon Group, come at no cost to the Vitales. The grueling effort will be taped in its entirety and aired during the show's 2007-2008 season.
Sarah and Lou Vitale have two young sons, Kane and Louie Angelo Jr. Louie was diagnosed with multiple birth defects, including Arthogryposis, club feet, and skeletal displasia. Their home's weak foundation is in immediate danger of collapsing. On stormy days, rain pours in through the hallways and emergency medical technicians are not able to maneuver in and out of the home when called upon for Louie.
"Our hall, in collaboration with longtime partner Sherwin Electric, is honored to support this touching initiative," said IBEW Local 300 Business Manager George Clain. "Viewers nationwide will see firsthand the talented electrical tradespeople from our fine state ˆ all in the name of helping those in need."
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is broadcast every Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC.