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Colonie [NY] woman 'Extreme Makeover' winner (freepers at work)
The Saratogian ^ | 03/23/2007 | BARBARA LOMBARDO

Posted on 03/23/2007 5:27:52 AM PDT by xcamel

The TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will be making a dream come true for a local single mom and her four sons, thanks in part two donations from two local companies - Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa and Furniture Theatre in Malta.

Debbie Oatman-Gaitan answered her door at 23 Fairway Lane in Colonie Thursday to discover she had been selected to receive a free new home.

Demolition of her existing house is to begin Saturday. The new house, which will be near the Town of Colonie golf course, is scheduled to be ready on Thursday. Yes, a new house, built and furnished in about 100 hours. The makeover is made possible with sizeable local donations and hundreds of volunteers, many from area businesses and organizations. If you'd like to help, go to www.amedorehomes.com and click on the "volunteer" tab. Amedore Homes Inc., a home builder in Albany, will construct the house with materials donated by Curtis Lumber Co. Inc. in Ballston Spa. Curtis Lumber is also accepting donations for the family at all of its 22 stores, the locations of which can be found at www.curtislumber.com.

"When George Amedore approached me about this project, I was very happy to partner with them and help provide full material and logistical support," said Jay Curtis, president of Curtis Lumber.

Tom and Ed Caro of Saratoga Springs, brothers and co-owners of the Furniture Theatre (and the drive-in movie theater behind it), were also quick to jump on board when a producer approached them.

Members of the show's design team came to the store Tuesday to pick out furnishings. The donations will include a living room, dining room, and bedroom sets. "They were looking at a contemporary Adirondacks style," said Ed Caro. "We are very excited about this," said Mirna Caro, Tom's wife.

So is Debbie Oatman, a 49-year-old single parent and student at the College of St. Rose. Her biological son, Scout, is an elementary school student. Her three older sons, D.J., Kevin and Brian, who range in age from 14 to 20, are adopted, with multiple disabilities, according to a press release from Curtis Lumber.

This will be the first house in upstate New York courtesy of Ty Pennington and his design team from the TV show, which airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on WTEN Channel 10.


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: goodworks; home; makeover
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To: Dooderbutt

I don't doubt that the average pre-fab is better built than the avergae stick - pre fabs have to travel!

that they remain strong is a testament to their suppliers.


21 posted on 03/23/2007 5:48:23 AM PDT by camle (keep your mind open and somebody will fill it full of something for you)
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To: camle

Actually, this wasn't a pre-fab, it was built from the ground up. It was rather amazing.


22 posted on 03/23/2007 5:49:55 AM PDT by Dooderbutt (It's God's job to judge the terrorists. It's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: xcamel

Awesome! And they just did one here in KC last week!

It's amazing what they can do. And Paige is SO HOT!!!

Mark


23 posted on 03/23/2007 5:51:45 AM PDT by MarkL (Environmental heretics should be burned at the stake, in a "Carbon Neutral" way...)
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To: All
The family is truly special - and the fact that her home was slowly collapsing into the cellar was a huge problem. And as far as her 3 adopted sons with HIV - she had received death threats when she went to enroll them in the school district. She is a single mom, and had been through quite enough.

EM/HE thought enough of the situation to make this one the 2 hour season finale, which will air May 20th from 7-9 PM.

24 posted on 03/23/2007 5:52:21 AM PDT by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: ClaireSolt
They are installing a new manufactured home across the street from me. It arrived in two sections on trailers, and they drove it past my window yesterday. The tie back curtains and blinds are preinstalled at the factory. wild!

You have to watch these shows. These houses ARE NOT PREFAB!!! They often spend a day demolishing the old house. The one in KC they did last week went from about 1500 sq ft to 5000 sq ft! They use the same fast setting concrete for the foundations that they use on bridge abutments!

Mark

25 posted on 03/23/2007 5:55:37 AM PDT by MarkL (Environmental heretics should be burned at the stake, in a "Carbon Neutral" way...)
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To: xcamel
Oh, and I'm sorry - Congratulations and it's wonderful that you're involved in this. I absolutely LOVE this program, it's nice to have something on TV that shows the heart and soul of the people that live in this country.

And, forgive me, but...

I just can't have a thread like this go by without posting a picture!!

Again, God bless you and congratulations!!! I'll be sure to watch this episode.

26 posted on 03/23/2007 5:56:37 AM PDT by Dooderbutt (It's God's job to judge the terrorists. It's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: camle
non-standard and it'll be a challenge to whomever gets the contract.

Preaching to the choir there - mine is non-standard as well. A cinderblock and concrete slab prefab built for the workers involved in the Manhattan Project. I want Extreme Home Makeover to come to my house so I can see the video of someone going after a wall with a sledgehammer...and watching it bounce. :)

27 posted on 03/23/2007 6:01:02 AM PDT by Tennessee_Bob ("Those who "abjure" violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf.")
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To: Killing Time; Beowulf; Mr. Peabody; RW_Whacko; honolulugal; SideoutFred; Ole Okie; ...

unrelated ping FYI.


28 posted on 03/23/2007 6:47:35 AM PDT by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: xcamel

You rock. 3 Cheers!


29 posted on 03/23/2007 6:49:24 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: camle

Have you not seen the houses these folks are typically living in, beforehand?


30 posted on 03/23/2007 6:50:00 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: xcamel

Nice PR! I need a new fence, and you can advertise on the outside of it!


31 posted on 03/23/2007 7:00:39 AM PDT by RobFromGa (I'm still optimistic about our future!)
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To: FreedomPoster

nope. never watched the show.

however, I do appreciate the kindness of our fellows in giving up so much, and making people more comfortable. And the facctta they don't whine to the government makes it better still.

I'm just afraid that my project would be beyond the means of these folks. too challenging.


32 posted on 03/23/2007 7:49:25 AM PDT by camle (keep your mind open and somebody will fill it full of something for you)
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To: xcamel

I hope there will be carbon offsets for all of this :)


33 posted on 03/23/2007 11:10:24 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Prevent Glo-Ball Warming ... turn out the sun when not in use)
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To: xcamel

BTTT!


34 posted on 03/24/2007 2:06:57 PM PDT by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: All

links:
http://www.amedorehomes.com/extreme/
http://www.amedorehomes.com/extreme/MeetOurPartners.cfm
http://curtislumber.com/
http://curtislumber.com/news.asp?id=67


35 posted on 03/24/2007 2:08:11 PM PDT by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: All

yesterday/today pics
http://lledgerock.com/extreme_makeover/extrememakeoverhomeedition/


36 posted on 03/25/2007 5:11:48 PM PDT by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: xcamel

I think it is great, what you are doing!!
My father works for your company and Our whole family thinks this is wonderful!!
Love the company keep up the great work


37 posted on 03/27/2007 7:34:25 PM PDT by debbay2204
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