Area Volunteers, Construction Crews Lend Hand in Fairmont ‘Extreme’ Home Makeover
By HEATHER JUDY, Staff Writer
POSTED: December 8, 2007
The ABC television series “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” caught the attention of Elkins area contractors who volunteered their services and Gov. Joe Manchin who paid a visit to Fairmont Thursday for the unveiling of the new home they created. Although dozens of applications were submitted from throughout the state, producers selected Richard and Angie Turner and their five children to have their home renovated.
Donnie Pritt, 44, of Beverly spent his day off Dec. 2 back on the job with Residential Creations of Montrose and a Fairmont company to help make the Turners’ dream come true.
“We framed the house in conjunction with the Cook Brothers out of Fairmont,” said Pritt, who is employed by Residential Creations. “It was a blast. If we had the chance to do it again, we would all do it. It’s all about that family.”
Pritt said only top-of-the-line materials were used in the project.
Quality Woods Inc., owned by former Coalton resident Sal Rossi and his wife, Iris, provided all the doors and interior for the Turner’s new home. Quality Woods promotes all West Virginia hardwoods.
“We gave because we wanted to be part of it,” said Rossi’s brother, Coalton Mayor and Quality Woods Inc. Manager Jim Rossi. “The owner of Quality Woods is a great humanitarian. It was so unbelievable to see all those people that pulled together to get this done. It’s a much greater house than what that family had. They seem very deserving.”
Barbara McQuain of Elkins volunteered on the project site serving hot chocolate and snacks to the workers.
“Everyone is so nice there,” McQuain said. “It has been a nice experience.”
The Turner family consists of two adults and five children, ages 12 through 16. Richard and Angie Turner coach football, basketball and cheerleading and also help with youth project fundraising and mentoring. They are also caretakers for mentally challenged adults and one day hope to open a business to help the mentally challenged.
The Turners were sent to Walt Disney World while construction was taking place.
This family’s previous home was described as being too small for the seven of them and had an unstable floor. After 106 hours of construction, through snow and bitter cold, the family now has a brand new home.
The television episode is scheduled for broadcast in March and details of its interior are being kept under wraps until then.
“Extreme Makeover Home Edition” plans to build one home in each state this season.
