Monday, Jul. 28, 2008

Charlotte family to get 'Makeover'

A Charlotte family that runs a day care and sometimes cares for children in their home will get a new house in the next seven days from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Curtis and Alisha King got the traditional door-knock this morning from Ty Pennington, host of the ABC show, at their Windsor Park area house.

They operate “Step By Step Home Daycare” for about a dozen children and sometimes care for them after hours for free in their home, which has a mold problem. Their own daughter, Laila, has gone to the hospital several times with asthma attacks.

“Extreme Makeover” will send the family on a vacation to Puerto Rico while their old home is demolished and replaced. Next Monday, the family will return and get their first look at their new house.

Designers for this episode be Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Rib Hillis and Didiayer Snyder.

This season's theme on “Extreme Makeover” is community heroes and the King family was chosen because of their service to their neighbors and dedication to their day care. Alisa King, a single mother at age 15, depended on others to support her and her son Justin while she worked multiple part-time jobs to attend college.

In turn, producers say, her goal has been to provide a nurturing and affordable daycare with food, clothing, overnight care and mentoring for others.

Charlotte's project is led by Rick Merlini of American Heartland Homebuilder, who set the record for an “Extreme Makeover” fast build in 2006 near Detroit: 53 hours, 54 minutes. On this project, Merlini says, he's not out to break his own record. Instead, he says he plans to enjoy the experience.

Other major sponsors of the build are Duke Energy, JED Development and Stock Building Supply.

People who want to visit the site should take the CATS bus, Route 232, Grier Heights, so cars don't clog the Windsor Park neighborhood. It leaves Eastland Mall Community Transit Center, 5411 Central Ave., every 15 to 30 minutes and costs 60 cents one way, or $1.20 for a round trip. CATS accepts exact change only.

Volunteers are still being accepted to help in the build. To sign up, visit the website www.extrememakeovercharlotte.com and click volunteer.

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