Demolition is nothing new in Las Vegas, but to tear down a structure and rebuild it in only seven days is remarkable in any case. That is the rapid-action premise of ABC’s hit network show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Deserving families submit their stories for a chance to have their homes completely renovated in extravagant fashion. The entire process takes only a week and the result is a dream home custom built for the family’s needs.
Now in its fifth season, the show has touched the lives of many worthy families and countless volunteers with no plans to stop. The Cerda family of northwest Las Vegas was chosen for the latest edition because their home had become virtually unlivable for their two daughters, diagnosed with an immune disorder. Chuck, a Homeland Security Officer and his wife, Terri, a lifelong global relief advocate and volunteer, are two very deserving individuals whose lives are forever changed through the caring spirit of their community.
On March 10, crowds gathered for the reveal of the location as the Cerda family was told for the first time that their home had been chosen for the makeover. The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team informed the Cerdas that their dream home will be built entirely by donated time and materials from local companies and volunteers, including ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) from NV Energy’s Lighting program.
This season, the show’s design team is working to make the homes “green” by incorporating eco-friendly, low energy and recyclable sources into the design plan. In order to achieve NAHB Green Build certification, at least 50 percent of the lights in the house have to be CFLs or LEDs. The NV Energy Lighting program saw this as a natural partnership and an opportunity to give back to the community. The program outfitted the entire house with energy efficient lighting by providing nearly 200 CFLs to the cause.
The episode airs on ABC Sunday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m.
