Transforming Ideas. Delivering Results
PRESS RELEASE
September 8, 2008
EU Services Joins 95 Local Businesses to Help Make Maryland Family's Dreams Come True
Vendors join volunteers to build a new house for homeless Poolesville family
Viewers familiar with ABC-TV's hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition understand that it takes an army of volunteers to build and furnish a home in just seven days. Not as well known, however, is that it also takes the support of scores of local businesses - providing priceless support - to provide deserving families with the homes of their dreams.
That was certainly the case in June when the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team descended upon Poolesville, Md., to build a new 4,800-square-foot home for Felicia Jackson and her 14 children. EU Services, a direct marketing production company based in nearby Rockville, joined 95 other Maryland and Virginia business "partners" to provide support services for the building effort. The Jacksons' new home will be featured in the show's two-episode season premier, scheduled to air Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. eastern / 7 p.m. central.
Classic Homes of Maryland, the lead builder for the project, coordinated the volunteer effort. EU Services became involved when Ford James, EU Services' manager for safety and security, responded to a call for volunteers on a community website. Initially, Mr. James thought EU Services would provide a team of volunteers to help with construction. But when he called Classic Homes to offer assistance, he found out that what the builder really needed was EU Services' printing and promotional expertise.
In response, EU Services rushed to produce an eight-page, four-color promotion brochure printed on EU's iGen3 digital press that provided information about the Jackson family, the seven-day construction schedule, and the various vendors involved in the project. EU Services also produced three additional cut-sheet fliers in support of the project.
EU Services' in-kind donation combined with that of 95 other local businesses whose myriad donations - ranging from construction materials (bricks, mortar, drywall, electrical wiring and plumbing fixtures) to support services and refreshments for volunteers who worked around the clock. For a complete list of vendor partners, go to www.classicextreme.net/partners.htm.
Mr. James, of EU Services, said the effort was rewarding for all involved. "Everybody I spoke to surrounding the build was happy to help," James said. "They worked hard, yes, but they felt good about being able to help somebody who was trying to do the right thing."
About the Jackson family: Felicia Jackson is a single mom of four who grew up in foster care and was separated from her own siblings during her childhood. As an adult, she was reunited with her sister, Cassandra, who had 10 children of her own. The sisters promised one another that they'd never allow their own children to end up in foster care, as they had. When Cassandra later died as a result of complications from cancer, Ms. Jackson kept the promise she made to her sister and took in all 10 of her nieces and nephews, making her the primary caretaker for a family of 14, ranging in age from 4 to 18. The added responsibility of caring for her new family, however, forced Ms. Jackson to leave her government job. She found work as a mall security guard, but had been unable to afford stable housing for her family. The Jacksons had been living in a local hotel since December. A Montgomery County middle school teacher who taught some of the Jackson children contacted Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to nominate the family for a new home. Construction on the new house began on June 22, 2008. The completed home was presented to the family on June 29, 2008.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 6th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Anthony Dominici is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.
September 8, 2008
EU Goes Extreme
EU Services Joins 95 Local Businesses to Help Make Maryland Family's Dreams Come True
Vendors join volunteers to build a new house for homeless Poolesville family
Viewers familiar with ABC-TV's hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition understand that it takes an army of volunteers to build and furnish a home in just seven days. Not as well known, however, is that it also takes the support of scores of local businesses - providing priceless support - to provide deserving families with the homes of their dreams.
That was certainly the case in June when the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team descended upon Poolesville, Md., to build a new 4,800-square-foot home for Felicia Jackson and her 14 children. EU Services, a direct marketing production company based in nearby Rockville, joined 95 other Maryland and Virginia business "partners" to provide support services for the building effort. The Jacksons' new home will be featured in the show's two-episode season premier, scheduled to air Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. eastern / 7 p.m. central.
Classic Homes of Maryland, the lead builder for the project, coordinated the volunteer effort. EU Services became involved when Ford James, EU Services' manager for safety and security, responded to a call for volunteers on a community website. Initially, Mr. James thought EU Services would provide a team of volunteers to help with construction. But when he called Classic Homes to offer assistance, he found out that what the builder really needed was EU Services' printing and promotional expertise.
In response, EU Services rushed to produce an eight-page, four-color promotion brochure printed on EU's iGen3 digital press that provided information about the Jackson family, the seven-day construction schedule, and the various vendors involved in the project. EU Services also produced three additional cut-sheet fliers in support of the project.
EU Services' in-kind donation combined with that of 95 other local businesses whose myriad donations - ranging from construction materials (bricks, mortar, drywall, electrical wiring and plumbing fixtures) to support services and refreshments for volunteers who worked around the clock. For a complete list of vendor partners, go to www.classicextreme.net/partners.htm.
Mr. James, of EU Services, said the effort was rewarding for all involved. "Everybody I spoke to surrounding the build was happy to help," James said. "They worked hard, yes, but they felt good about being able to help somebody who was trying to do the right thing."
About the Jackson family: Felicia Jackson is a single mom of four who grew up in foster care and was separated from her own siblings during her childhood. As an adult, she was reunited with her sister, Cassandra, who had 10 children of her own. The sisters promised one another that they'd never allow their own children to end up in foster care, as they had. When Cassandra later died as a result of complications from cancer, Ms. Jackson kept the promise she made to her sister and took in all 10 of her nieces and nephews, making her the primary caretaker for a family of 14, ranging in age from 4 to 18. The added responsibility of caring for her new family, however, forced Ms. Jackson to leave her government job. She found work as a mall security guard, but had been unable to afford stable housing for her family. The Jacksons had been living in a local hotel since December. A Montgomery County middle school teacher who taught some of the Jackson children contacted Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to nominate the family for a new home. Construction on the new house began on June 22, 2008. The completed home was presented to the family on June 29, 2008.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 6th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Anthony Dominici is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.