Deltec Homes and ABC's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Surprise Deserving Westwego Family

Deltec Homes and ABC's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Surprise Deserving Westwego Family

Deltec Homes to Lead the Build Team

WESTWEGO, La., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier today, the Usea family of Westwego, LA received life-changing news from Ty Pennington and the crew of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" that a new home will be built for them in seven days. Thanks to the generosity of Deltec Homes and a team of builders from across the country, this family will leave behind the painful memories of Hurricane Katrina and move into a new hurricane resistant home that can provide them a safe haven for the entire family.

Brad and Laura's home was severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Even worse, Brad's mother Grace's home was completely destroyed leaving her, Brad's older brother Chris, and Brad's twin brother Chad all homeless. Brad and Laura took in their family without hesitation.

In February of 2007, tornados struck Westwego in the middle of the night causing more devastation to Brad and Laura's already battered home and destroying the trailer in the backyard where Chris had been living since Katrina. That night, Brad and Chad, both volunteer firefighters, came to the rescue of not just their family, but their neighbors who were trapped in their own trailer. Local heroes to many, Brad and Chad continue to work to rebuild their community that has been devastated by natural disasters, while living on top of each other in a single family home.

On the same lot where their current home still stands today, Deltec Homes along with a "dream team" of builders from across the country, Ty and the "EMHE" design team will build not just one but three bigger and stronger homes for the Usea family. The new home will have all of the space they need to raise their family and give Brad and his family; Chris, Chad and Grandma Grace back their independence.

Deltec Homes is the nation's leading producer of wind resistant structures. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Deltec has been providing hurricane safe homes since 1968. "We have never lost a home to high wind," said Joseph Schlenk of Deltec Homes. "We can't think of a better way to celebrate our 40th year in business than providing a home for these worthy heroes and their families. Citizens like Brad and Chad are what make this country great. Without hesitation or consideration for their own safety they set out in the darkest and most difficult times to help their neighbors. We are proud to be part of this project," said Schlenk.

The seven-day build in the greater New Orleans area is the show's last stop on a 50-state tour and will wrap up the show's season. The build will be March 6-14, and the two-hour episode will air as the season finale on May 18.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

More information is available at www.extremeneworleans.com and www.deltechomes.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Deltec Homes

CONTACT: Kim LeFevers, +1-713-816-8793, klefevers@deltechomes.com;
Becky Covert, +1-504-247-6731, bcovert@deltechomes.com; Joseph Schlenk,
+1-828-777-8265, jschlenk@deltechomes.com, all of Deltec Homes

Web site: http://www.deltechomes.com/
http://www.extremeneworleans.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media are invited to witness the week's activities, and are invited to join us at the Westwego house at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 6. The location address is: The Usea Family 617 11th Street Westwego, LA 70094 A media tent will be manned each day of the build from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. through March 14th. Valid media credentials are required. Requests for LIVE television broadcasts must be approved in advance. For more information or to schedule an on-site interview with EMHE staff and-or with Deltec Homes, contacts are below.

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Profile: International Entertainment