Sunrise Homes on ABC's Extreme Makeover

Sunrise Homes of Slidell among the Battalion of Builders to Descend upon New Orleans for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

NEW ORLEANS, LA -- March 6, 2008 – Eighteen builders from 12 states converged on the New Orleans area today to assist in a volunteer building project for ABC Television’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  "As one of the largest local builders working on this project "said Larry Kornman, President of Sunrise Homes of Slidell, "it's easy to understand why we would be involved, after all it’s our own community. But these out-of-town builders are truly remarkable.  They've traveled hundreds of miles to help our local families.  It's just a privilege to be part of this team."

For the first time ever Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is working on two new construction projects simultaneously, a single family home on the West Bank in Westwego and a church in Central City.  Both must be completed in the customary one week time limit allotted for an Extreme project. The New Orleans area episode will air later this year as a special two hour season finale. The show airs on Sundays at 8/7c p.m. on ABC (Ch 26).

While Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s complete construction schedule is a closely guarded secret, even Sunrise's veteran production team has been amazed by the pace that the project managers will need to maintain to complete the buildings on time.  "We're use to tight construction schedules," said Natalie Culpepper, Vice President of Sunrise Homes, "but on this build, tasks that might ordinarily take 2 or 3 weeks will need to be completed in less than 16 hours.  It’s almost inconceivable."

Just keeping the crews fed and hydrated presents an enormous logistical challenge.  Hundreds of volunteers are being recruited just to 'feed the troops'.  During the peak of construction over 3,000 meals will be served in one 48 hour period.  "Frankly, when you look at those numbers it’s almost a relief to be just one of the builders," said Kornman, "…almost."