Excel Homes and Maryland Community Builders Foundation Join ABC's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'

CAMP HILL, Pa. and BALTIMORE, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Excel Homes, the leading manufacturer of custom modular houses, and the Maryland Community Builders' Foundation, the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association of Maryland, announced today that they will join ABC's hit series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" for an upcoming project in the Baltimore area in July. Local builder Artisan Fine Homes will help complete the build.

The prime time inspirational home makeover show gives deserving individuals with a compelling story a complete home renovation. While the name of the recipients will not be released until July 9, Excel Homes and the Maryland Community Builders Foundation will oversee and implement the intense one-week build from July 10 through July 16, according to production sources. Last season's finale also featured a modular home, a design the producers felt worked well with the show's fast-paced format.

According to the Foundation's chairman, Chris Rachuba, and its president, Kevin Carney, producers chose Excel for its innovation, commitment to quality and the ability to fulfill the project requirements of construction speed, energy efficiency and green building practices. The Foundation was selected for its extensive history and experience with shelter-related charitable activities.

"While the task of building a new home in a week could be a bit intimidating, this show will demonstrate the time-saving benefits of modular construction, and will certainly change people's perceptions of 'modular,'" said Excel CEO Steve Scheinkman. "Despite the recent challenges in the housing market, the Baltimore area has been good to us, and we look forward to working with the Foundation, Artisan, and the people of Baltimore as we 'excel together' on this significant opportunity to give back to the community."

The majority of construction will take place at Excel's manufacturing plant in Avis, Pa., with final assembly slated for completion at the show job site. The home will combine traditional Baltimore elements with modern design. Excel recently announced the opening of its Avis facility and will hire more than 100 employees to support its manufacturing operations. The "Extreme Makeover" modules will be some of the first produced at that location.

"'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' will really showcase the Foundation in action," said Rachuba. "We are honored that we were selected to participate in the project, and that everyone involved will be able to share in this worthy cause. Our mission has always been to better the lives of the less fortunate in our area through shelter-based initiatives, and this show will demonstrate that on a large scale."

Since all materials and labor must be donated, both Excel Homes and the Maryland Community Builders Foundation are requesting skilled and unskilled volunteers from the community to provide their time, support and resources to help ensure the success of the project. Interested individuals or companies considering donating materials can find more information on how to volunteer their time and resources at http://baltimoreextrememakeover.com or http://excelhomes.com/baltimoreextreme.

About EMHE

The Emmy award winning reality program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," entering its 8th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive-produced by Brady Connell and George Verschoor. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET on ABC.

About Excel Homes Group LLC

Based in Camp Hill, PA, Excel Homes Group, LLC is the largest custom modular home manufacturer in the United States and builds modules in climate-controlled plants in Liverpool, PA and Avis, PA. For more information about Excel Homes, visit www.excelhomes.com.

About The Maryland Community Builders' Foundation

The Maryland Community Builders Foundation, founded in 1999, is the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association of Maryland. It was formed to promote shelter related activities for those less fortunate throughout the Baltimore region. To find out more, please visit www.buildingindustriesfoundation.org.

About the Home Builders Association of Maryland

The Home Builders Association of Maryland is a not-for-profit association that provides governmental relations, educational opportunities and generally functions as a housing industry advocate. Visit www.homebuilders.org for more information.

SOURCE Excel Homes