IBEW Electricians Spend Weekend at 'Extreme Makeover'

Sept. 8-9, members of the union from Sherwin Electric and Central Vermont Public Service journeyed to Athens, Vt., to volunteer for ABC-TVs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The award-winning program was in the small Windham County town all week refurbishing the home of the Vitale Family. IBEW electricians worked hand-in-hand with a crew led by Brandon-based general contractor the McKernon Group.
"We interacted very well with the whole team down there," said Sherwin Electric's Marcel Cote. "It was impressive to see the amount of work that goes into a project like this. Without a doubt, our folks were honored to assist a Vermont family in need."
Sarah and Lou Vitale have two young sons, Kane and Louie Angelo Jr. Louie was diagnosed with multiple birth defects, including Arthogryposis, club feet, and skeletal displasia. Their home's weak foundation was in immediate danger of collapsing. On stormy days, flooded hallways made the residence virtually impassable for emergency medical technicians.
"The IBEW is all about helping people improve their lives. Given that commitment, it was a no-brainer for us to get involved with this touching project," said Local 300 Business Manager George Clain. "Hopefully, the Vitales will now rest easier knowing their family resides in a safe, handicap accessible home. Our organization was thrilled to play a role in that."
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is broadcast every Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC. Hosted by popular television personality Ty Pennington, the show travels the country rebuilding homes of deserving families. The Vitale effort will air during the 2007-2008 season.
Based in South Burlington, the IBEW Local 300 serves 1,200-plus laborers throughout Vermont. The organization is part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and represents approximately 750,000 members who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The IBEW has members in both the United States and Canada and stands out among the American unions in the AFL-CIO because of its size and highly skilled constituency.
For more information, contact Marketing and Business Development Director Matt Lash at (802) 864-5864, [email protected] or www.ibewlocal300.org.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is entering its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.