ATLANTA, March 6, 2008 – After a successful five-year journey of providing happiness to several unsuspecting, deserving families, the award-winning ABC-TV hit series, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is at it again with plans to double its local impact. And this time, extreme pest protection is part of the mission.
Pest control leader Orkin, Inc. is donating its time and services to two deserving families in the New Orleans area as part of the next project for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The pest control packages include termite treatment services. Termites can cause excessive damage to people’s property, and are especially troublesome in high-pressure areas like Louisiana where a warm climate and high moisture provide the perfect termite environment. Proper treatment of such pests requires the experience of a true pest control professional like Orkin, as termites can enter a home through cracks as small as 1/32".
Orkin pest control professionals are working on site with Deltec Homes, Ty Pennington and his design team for a week to ensure that each family’s dream home is protected from termites. Construction began March 6 on the new homes that will fulfill the dreams of Westwego residents Brad and Laura Usea as well as Pastor Willie Walker of Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans. 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 its season.
“At Orkin, we believe that effective pest control safeguards property, as well as protects people’s health and increases their well-being. We are thrilled to join ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ and Deltec Homes in rebuilding Louisiana and improving the quality of life for the Usea family and Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church,” said Martha Craft, assistant vice president of Public Relations and Corporate Communications for Orkin, Inc.
After the initial demolition of the existing structures, Orkin professionals and construction crews will work around the clock until March 13 when the keys to the brand new treated homes will be handed over to each family. A dream team of builders and community volunteers, from across the country, is accomplishing an extraordinary transformation of a lifetime for both the Usea and Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church families.
Brad and Laura Usea’s house incurred brutal devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. In addition to their loss, Brad’s mother’s home was destroyed leaving her and his two brothers homeless. Brad and Laura immediately took in Brad’s family, but the worst was not over.
In February 2007, tornados hit Westwego causing more damage to Brad and Laura’s already battered home. The storm also destroyed the trailer in the backyard where Brad’s older brother had been living since Katrina. Despite their loss, Brad and his twin brother, both volunteer firefighters, came to the rescue for their neighbors who were trapped in their homes. Local heroes to many, the Usea family works tirelessly to assist and rebuild their community, while coping with the tight accommodations of their single family home.
In a similar fashion, Pastor Willie Walker joined Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church in 1998 and had dedicated his life to helping his community including addicts, AIDS patients, the homeless and the poor. Unfortunately, the wind and flood waters of Hurricane Katrina destroyed his church and rendered his congregation homeless.
Despite the reality of the situation, Pastor Walker’s mission never wavered. He continually risked his life by returning to the devastated area to rescue and save members of his community. For two years, he has worked to assist the victims of Katrina, but has not been able to rebuild his beloved church, a safe haven and place of worship for the entire community.
“This show is about the barn raising of the 1900s. Where community comes together to change lives. Louisiana is that life, and this time the community is our nation. To make a real difference along the gulf coast will take the nation. We make that step by bringing builders together, some who lost their houses and business, and others we have met in our 50-state tour,” says Conrad Ricketts, executive producer of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. “Together we will show the nation that the impossible are just words.”
The Usea Family and Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will air as the season finale on May 18 on the ABC Television Network.
For more information on how to protect your home against termites, please visit www.Termites101.org.
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.
Deltec Homes is the nation’s leading producer of hurricane resistant structures. Deltec has been in business since 1968 and has never lost a home to high winds. Deltec manufactures the structural components for their homes in Asheville NC and ships them all over the world where they are assembled and finished by local labor. For more information on the event, please go to www.extremeneworleans.com or www.deltechomes.com.
About Orkin, Inc.
Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin, Inc. is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Asia. With more than 400 locations, Orkin’s almost 8,000 employees serve approximately 1.7 million customers. The company serves homeowners and numerous industries including food and beverage processing, foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, retail, warehousing, property/facilities management, schools and institutions. Learn more about Orkin on our website at www.orkin.com. Orkin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE: ROL).
