ABC-TV's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Knocks on Door in Armada Twp., Mich.; American Heartland Homebuilder to Build 'Extreme Dream' Home for Family

ABC-TV's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Knocks on Door in Armada Twp., Mich.; American Heartland Homebuilder to Build 'Extreme Dream' Home for Family

ARMADA TWP., Mich., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The hit ABC-TV series, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is once again changing the life of a Michigan family. Ty Pennington, design team leader and carpenter, surprised the Gilliam family of Armada Township, Mich. when he informed them that their home has been chosen to receive a makeover. The 120-year-old home -- which potentially still contains the toxins responsible for the early death of husband/father David Gilliam -- will be replaced with a new home built onsite in approximately one week.

Macomb, Mich.-based American Heartland Homebuilder, a leading builder in southeastern Michigan, will build the Gilliams' new home. Richard Merlini, American Heartland Homebuilder's chief executive officer (CEO), with the help of longtime friend Anthony Lombardo and Lombardo Homes of Washington, Mich., will join Ty Pennington, the show's design team and approximately 3,000 workers, subcontractors, trades and volunteers.

"You'll really see firsthand the heart of American Heartland Homebuilder, Lombardo Homes, our subcontractors and the thousands of community volunteers in this awesome project," Merlini said. "While some might see building a home in one week as a challenge, we see it as a blessing and an honor. As with all of our homes, we'll take care of the Gilliam family over the long haul with our in-house 10-year warranty."

Approximately 3,000 volunteers will work hundreds of hours to make this project a success. The team will work five days and around-the-clock to present the Gilliam family with a new fully furnished home on the anticipated reveal date of Monday, Aug. 14. The project kicked off today with Ty Pennington's "Good Morning!" wake up call. Demolition of the old house and construction of the new home are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 9.

Fifth Third Bank, long time financial partner of American Heartland Homebuilder and Lombardo Homes, is accepting donations for the family at all of their branch locations in a special fund set up to assist in the long term care of the Gilliam family.

The Gilliams have been sent on a vacation to a Hilton Resort in Florida during the build. This deserving family was selected from thousands of applications worldwide.

About the Gilliam Family

Maryann Gilliam's husband David, 41, was a firefighter and emergency medical technician that passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Eve 2005. Maryann, 32, was left with six children (currently ages eight months to 12 years old) to live in a tiny two-bedroom, 120-year-old house that David was renovating. David and Maryann originally purchased the home as a "fixer- upper." When he went back to school in order to better provide for his family, he had less time to work on the home.

Since David's death, Maryann learned that the basement of their home was contaminated with dangerous levels of toxic spores. The family's doctor theorized these toxins may have been responsible for David's death and advised Maryann to vacate the house.

About the Gilliams' Current Home

The seven-member Gilliam family is currently living in a two bedroom, 1-1/4 bath, 900 square-foot "farm house" built in approximately 1886. It sits on a one-acre lot with a septic/well and contains potentially hazardous mold (Pennicillium/Aspergillis). The "Michigan" basement floods, and the house is in dire need of waterproofing. Additionally, the roof is leaking, the septic field is old and ineffective (with the washing machine leaking into the yard) and the ground is collapsing outside of the house.

About American Heartland Homebuilder

Macomb, Mich.-based American Heartland LLC, which does business as American Heartland Homebuilder (http://www.americanheartlandhomes.com/ ), was founded in 1988 by native Detroiter and CEO Richard ("Rick") Merlini. The company focuses on three segments of the new home marketplace: starter homes, traditional suburban homes and active adult communities. American Heartland Homebuilder stays on the cutting-edge of design and innovative techniques to provide homeowners with the latest in technology, quality products, energy efficiency and value.

Committed to quality, the company guarantees its work with an award- winning 10-year warranty and in-house service department. For this once-in-a- lifetime project, American Heartland Homebuilder has teamed up with longtime friend Anthony Lombardo and Lombardo Homes (http://www.lombardohomes.com/ ) of Washington, Mich. The companies collectively have built more than 9,200 homes in southeastern Michigan.

About ABC-TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," entering its 4th season on ABC, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. The series is executive-produced by Denise Cramsey. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

Source: American Heartland Homebuilder

CONTACT: Adriana Ferrari, aferrari@bianchipr.com or Rich Donley,
rdonley@bianchipr.com , of Bianchi PR, +1-248-269-1122, for American Heartland
Homebuilder

Web site: http://www.americanheartlandhomes.com/
http://www.lombardohomes.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: The media are welcome near the site for the duration of the build; press ID is required and advanced scheduling is highly recommended. For onsite assistance, please contact Adriana Ferrari at 586-201-1643, aferrari@bianchipr.com or Rich Donley at 248-379-0689, rdonley@bianchipr.com . News releases and other media materials about the build will be available via http://www.prnewswire.com , http://www.bianchipr.com/extreme , onsite and through the above media contacts. Interviews with the builders can also be arranged through the above media contacts. For more information about the show/designers, contact Mozell Miley, ABC publicist, at 212-456-6444 or mozell.i.miley@abc.com .

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