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Pre-show party, donations among
student projects for 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'
By Brooke Barker
October 16, 2006 | The big service projects may not
begin on-site until after the demolition Tuesday afternoon,
but students at USU are working on another service project
in conjunction with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
"My goal is that everyone who wants an opportunity
will get it and my fear is that not everyone will have
the chance to help," said Troy Kartchner, the project
leader for Kartchner Homes.
A Cache Valley family of 10 was selected Sunday morning
by the show to receive a brand new home. Crews will
be working around the clock, beginning with Tuesday's
demolition, to create a 5,500-square-foot home for the
Pauni family by Oct. 22.
With slots for only 110 students to sign up to volunteer
on-site available Monday morning, the chance for every
student to help with the project shrinks.
"When I went by at 10:30, the slots were already full
to help on the home," said Kirsten Thompson, a sophomore
majoring in deaf dducation. "It's OK though, I don't
have that much extra time this week."
Thompson still managed to snag a spot to help set
up for Wednesday's benefit concert.
"We hope everyone can feel like they're getting a
hand in this and that they're getting a chance to help
the family," said Sarah Reale, a senior in public relations.
Reale is responsible for coordinating the pre-show party
Wednesday on the HPER field that starts at 5 p.m.
There will also be donation boxes in various buildings
around campus throughout the week, for students to drop
off summer clothing in good condition. The clothing
will then be sent to Tonga, where the Pauni family is
from originally.
"People from Tonga don't care a lot about possessions,
but they are lacking as far as needs go," said Erin
Didericksen, a senior in public relations. "We wanted
to help the people who have ties to the family."
Didericksen has been responsible for coordinating
the donation drives and on-campus service projects.
"A company volunteered to come and take the donations,
and ship them to Tonga for us," she said.
On Tuesday, students will also be able to put together
ABC books for children in Tonga at 2 p.m. in the Sunburst
Lounge at the TSC.
"When we talked to people we found there were two
things the people in Tonga needed: clothing and school
supplies," said Didericksen. "Most of the books the
children have are from the 1970s."
She hopes they are able to make several hundred throughout
the day, which will then be sent along with the clothing.
Donations will also be taken throughout the week for
a Pauni family fund at the Wells Fargo Branches in Cache
Valley, and on campus. A benefit concert is scheduled
for Wednesday. Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band, Isaac
Hayden and Polynesian dancers will perform at the Spectrum
beginning at 7 p.m.
"Projects like this help bring a community together
to help a family," said a member of the show's design
team, Ed Sanders. The London native said that the show
is like a modern day barn-raising in communities across
the country, and he and others from the show hope that
when it's all over, and the crews have left, neighbors
have become friends.
More information about volunteering, donations and
a complete list of activities can be found online at
www.kartchnerhomes.com.
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