Extreme Makeover Home Edition Features Beavercreek Family Nov. 8

BEAVERCREEK, OHIO - Officials at ABC television have announced the air date for the episode of ABC television's Extreme Makeover Home Edition featuring the Terpenning family of Beavercreek. The show is set for broadcast at 8 p.m. on Sunday November 8, 2009 on the Dayton ABC affiliate, WKEF-TV, Channel 22.

During the first week of August Hollywood descended on Greene County as host Ty Pennington and crew knocked on the door of James and Shannon Terpenning at 548 Carthage Drive. Early on the morning of July 31, the family was informed that they had been chosen to receive the home makeover out of hundreds of applicants.

The event started out later the same afternoon as hundreds of volunteers gathered up the street from the home for the "Braveheart Walk." After a couple of takes to get the perfect shots in the can, James Terpenning and his family climbed aboard a limousine and were off to Disney World and a much needed vacation courtesy of Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

James Terpenning works in civilian technical support at the aeronautical systems center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Crippled by polio during infancy and abandoned by his American G.I. father in Vietnam, Terpenning grew up in a wheelchair.

Lt. General John Hudson is the commander of the aeronautical systems center and knows him well. "More than 30 years ago the Air Force air-lifted James from Vietnam as an infant in what was called Operation Baby-Lift and brought him to the United States," said Hudson. "He works for us in the command section of the aeronautical systems center, there's nothing he can't do."

As a young man, Terpenning was competitive in wheelchair sports and eventually represented the United States at the Paralympics, where he earned both gold and silver medals. Today he and his wife, Shannon, are raising their four children, Josselyn, age 6, twins Justin and Jacob, age 2, and Joshua, who is 1 year old.

The couple also cares for James' brother, Peter, who is also confined to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy. Peter was left in a group home after his mother died, but came to live with his brother three years ago. The entire family was crammed into a 1,100 square-foot home.

Terpenning may have had to deal with adversity, but he also does what he can to give back to his community. He spends much of his limited free time as a speaker, visiting schools and other civic organizations and educating children, teens and veterans about living with special challenges.

The Terpenning family was nominated for the Extreme Makeover by Col. Sue Busler (Ret.), who worked with James at Wright Patterson Air Force Base for 7 years. "He is just an all around nice guy, super honest, and has all kinds of integrity, does everything with passion and he is a wonderful family man," Busler said. "He serves his community, he serves the military (as a civilian) and he serves his family."

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the site on Saturday August 1^st to watch Ty Pennington, his Extreme Makeover crew, and dozens of volunteers demolish the Terpenning home in preparation for new construction.

Around 1:15 p.m. the crowd cheered wildly (prompted by the show's director) as the first backhoe cut into the front of the Terpenning home. Extreme Makeover Home Edition designer Didiayer Snyder pulled the levers that brought down the first sections of the house.

Shortly after, the owner and president of Coventry Fine Homes, Rob Arnold, got into the act as well, knocking down another corner of the home before a workman on a bulldozer took out the garage walls. By late afternoon on Saturday, nothing remained of the Terpenning house but a wet pile of rubble.

The next few days consisted of tireless work around the clock to complete the new 3,600 square foot home in time for the big reveal on Thursday. More than 1,500 volunteers donated materials and labor to the effort led by crews from Coventry Fine Homes.

Contractors and volunteers labored in extremes of heat, mud and rain while support teams provided food and refreshments. On Wednesday, American Idol star Kelly Pickler treated everyone with a free concert and the Terpenning's new home quickly took shape.

The house was revealed to the family during the filming of the "move that bus" segment on Thursday, August 6. An estimated 5,000 people turned out to watch the production and see the family come home to their new residence amidst cheers of support and tears of joy.

In addition to providing a new home for one fortunate family, Extreme Makeover Home Edition also offered an opportunity for the community to help local nonprofit organizations. The Foodbank, Community Blood Center and Life Connection of Ohio, each held successful events in conjunction with the project.

The Emmy Award-winning reality show is now in its 7th season. Prior to the broadcast, WKEF-TV Channel 22 will run a half-hour special beginning at 7:30 p.m. which will include a behind-the-scenes look at the week-long Extreme Makeover build in Beavercreek.