Area Corporations and Individuals Join with Dewey Companies to Help a Philadelphia Family Selected for ABC's ''Extreme Makeover: Home Edition''.

PHILADELPHIA -- The generosity of companies and individuals throughout the Philadelphia area to help a local family and make ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" a success has exceeded our expectations, says John Dewey, president of Dewey Companies based in Wayne, PA.

The local residential builder/developer was asked by ABC-TV to oversee the construction of a house for the ABC show that provides a deserving family with a new home, totally built on-site within a week. This project is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and got underway March 22 when the family received a knock on the door from Ty Pennington and the design team of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to announce that they had been chosen from thousands of applicants to receive a brand new home.

In the first day, every supplier and company with whom Dewey Companies does business has, without hesitation, agreed to donate manpower, funds and time to this event. "I have been completely blown away by the reaction to this project by our Trade and Supplier partners and all the other companies with which we do business," Dewey said. "Virtually every person we have asked for help has said 'Yes' with no hesitation."

The Master Contributor has been GMAC Mortgage. "Their involvement as the lead in this project has convinced other companies and businesses to become part of this worthy cause," says Dewey. GMAC Mortgage has made a major financial contribution. In addition, many of its employees - more than 2500 in the Philadelphia region - are volunteering in various ways. GMAC's senior-level staff has helped organize the build including some of the events involved."

"We're thrilled to participate in this special event," says Rick Gillespie, GMAC Mortgage chief marketing officer. "It's a celebration of homeownership in one of the most endearing ways possible. We understand as a national residential lender that we have a responsibility to the communities we serve to do what we can to improve the quality of life for people through increased homeownership.

"Our employee population is a very generous and active group and are very much involved in civic activities and events in Philadelphia and nationally. We have programs in place that allow our employees to use company time to volunteer, in addition to the contributions of their own time. Any way we can provide the resources of our employees to support this event, we're ready to help."

In addition to GMAC Mortgage, a variety of other contributors including Comcast Cable, the City of Philadelphia, Bank of America, National City Bank, Citizens Banks, Wolf Block, WAWA, Friendly Ice Cream Corporation and numerous other corporations and individuals have already donated time and money to the project. "It's great to see this project unfold in our hometown, and we're happy to be able to provide the cable, Internet and phone services that will help make this family's entertainment and communications as special as the house itself," said Greg Arnold, regional senior vice president of Comcast Cable's Philadelphia Metro Region. "Our mission is to connect people to what's important in their lives, and this project brings that commitment to life."

Beginning Wednesday, March 22, the general public can lend their support by visiting www.DeweyExtreme.com. Donations will be accepted through Pay Pal as well as credit card.

"This event," says Dewey, "could not take place without the extreme generosity of the people and businesses of Philadelphia and the surrounding communities. I have never been more proud to be a citizen of this region." For details and directions, visit www.deweyextreme.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY AVAILABLE: Log on to www.abcmedianet.com to view available photos. Journalists must be registered at the site to download pictures and there are instructions on the site on how to do that.

This year ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" earned an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program. It is one of the most-watched programs in the nation and is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA. The series is executive produced by Tom Forman and co-executive produced by Denise Cramsey. The show airs on Sundays (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET), on the ABC Television Network.

MEDIA NOTES

Media are welcome on-site and must be checked through the registration area. Please wear closed-toe and closed-heel shoes. Daily updates will be distributed electronically and held on-site at 8am. Visit www.deweyextreme.com. The press tent will be open from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm.