Knoxville episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to have special viewing at Tennessee Theatre

KNOXVILLE -- Volunteers, sponsors and the entire Knoxville community who came together for one week this past January to build a home for a deserving Knoxville family are invited to a special viewing party of the Knoxville episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at the Tennessee Theatre on Monday, Nov. 26, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

"This is a celebration of our entire community," said Christi Branscom, the president of Grace Construction, the lead builder on the project. "It's a celebration of the volunteers who selflessly gave of their time and resources to accomplish something incredible. Last January, we overcame freezing temperatures, rain and knee-deep mud, and now we want to gather all the Extreme Volunteers involved in the project to see our hard work unveiled."

The doors will open at 7:30 p.m. for an airing of WATE-TV's "6 Around Town" special that will reveal more behind-the-scenes details about the week-long build and stories about the more than 4,000 volunteers on the project.

A brief program will follow the special with the major players in the Extreme Volunteer build, including lead builders on the project Christi and Scott Branscom reminiscing about overcoming the challenges in this project and the Watson family giving an update about Restoration House and how the project has affected the future of their organization.

The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition designers will also send video messages to the volunteers on the project.

"We are all excited to see the unveiling of the finished, decorated interior of the house and how this new home has impacted the lives of the Restoration House mothers and children," said Christi Branscom. "This is something I want to share with everyone who dedicated their time to this project, so I hope all our volunteers come to the viewing party on Nov. 26!"

Admission to the event is free. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Refreshments will be available for purchase in the Tennessee Theatre lobby.

The whirlwind Extreme Makeover experience began in early January of this year when personnel from the Emmy-winning TV show knocked on the Watson family's door and gave them the good news that they have been selected. While the Watsons vacationed in Florida, volunteers worked around the clock to rebuild their home, accomplishing in a week what normally takes nearly a year to achieve.

In Knoxville, the episode will air on the local ABC affiliate, WATE-TV Channel 6.

If you cannot make it to the Tennessee Theatre, the Restoration House encourages supporters to host private viewing parties in their own home to raise money for the organization. For more information, visit www.therestorationhouse.net.

Published November 8, 2012