'EXTREME MAKEOVER:' Home show seeks volunteers

Wes Sims, owner of The Fusion Cos., and Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach attend an "Extreme Makeover" announcement. / KATHY PUSEY IMAGE

SALISBURY -- ABC's Emmy award-winning show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is moving its bus to Wicomico County and the lead builder is seeking local volunteers.

"We need about 1,000 more volunteers than we could ever imagine," said Wes Sims, co-owner of the Annapolis-based The Fusion Cos. "Make that 5,000."
Salisbury University will host a pep rally Thursday night to build support, raise money and assemble volunteers. "Extreme Makeover's" senior producer, Milan Vasic, will present an overview of the project and the history behind the show. The event will include games for children, a performance by SU's cheerleaders and live music and video.Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring a teddy bear, a book, a ball or a blanket for a child. Official T-shirts for the Eastern Shore makeover will be available for a $15 donation.The local family selected for the build will be notified Sept. 28 via a "door knock" from the "Extreme Makeover" team, including lead designer Ty Pennington.
"This project will not happen unless we have support from the community," Sims said. "We urge everyone ... to grab a friend and sign up to help with this build."
SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach said she anticipates a number of students will pitch in.
"Civic engagement, community involvement and volunteerism are very important and are part of our university's mission," Dudley-Eshbach said. "These young people have a lot of energy so we're hoping to stir them up and get them on board."
Dudley-Eshbach also said SU has contacted the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to solicit help from students enrolled in the Construction Management Technology Program.
The Fusion Cos., known for energy-efficient practices, will finance the build and solicit local suppliers for construction materials.
"It's not financially motivated, it's not motivated by the general scope of your business and its day-to-day functions," Sims said. "It's really something that is absolutely, positively for the community, and for the family."
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