Arlington School District

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Date:  December 13, 2007

Contact:  Melissa Smith, Community Relations

802.375.2589, ext. 147 ~ smithme@bvsu.org (w)

802.375.6070 ~ smith209bh@verizon.net (h)

 

 

Fisher Helps Home Makeover Family

 

Arlington, Vt.,--This past fall, Fisher Elementary School students, faculty and staff have been raising money to help a Vermont family in need.  Raffles, bake sales, and hat day earnings all contributed to the $500 Fisher presented to the Vitale family also known as the family selected by the television program, Extreme Home Makeover, to receive a new house. 

Extreme Home Makeover documents the destruction of a family’s house and the construction of a new one.  The Vitale family applied to the program hoping for a home that would better accommodate the needs of their two-year old son, Louie, Jr., who has a rare disease that causes restricted movement of the joints. 

Days before the airing of the program, the Vitale family—Lou, Susan, Kane and Louie, Jr.—visited Fisher to share the story of their experience.  They explained Louie, Jr.’s disease, showed pictures of the demolition and construction process and answered questions from the students.  Lou told the students that it all started when he had a “crazy idea” to apply.  “I applied a year and a half ago.  A year later, I was interviewed, and then everyone I know was interviewed.  When I saw the house, it was an awesome feeling.  This house is so great for Louie.”

            Tom Hoffman, Design Manager and Builder for Homestead Landscaping and one of the 1,800 volunteers who took part in the Extreme Home Makeover project, also spoke to Fisher students.  “It was an amazing process and just incredible to see that many people working together.  We had five days, and we worked around the clock.”

            Fisher Principal Deanne Lacoste introduced the idea of raising money for the Vitales after learning that the family faced a large tax bill from the home donation.  “Children helping other children is always great to see.  Our students knew this money was going to help a little boy’s family, and they were so enthusiastic about the gift.  Meeting the Vitales in person was a thrill for them, and they couldn’t wait to watch the show air, so they could see Kane and Louie, Jr., on t.v.”

To learn more about helping the Vitales, contact Lacoste at lacosted@bvsu.org or 375-6409.  To learn more about Fisher Elementary School, visit our website at www.fisher.k12.vt.us.  The Arlington School District mission is to create a safe, caring and respectful environment of academic excellence where students are uniquely challenged to reach their potential at the K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 levels.

 

 

PHOTO CAPTION:

Fisher Elementary School fifth grade students designed a large check for the Vitale family.  Shown here from left to right are:  Fisher Principal Deanne Lacoste, Fisher student Evan Rogers, Lou Vitale, Louie Vitale, Jr., Susan Vitale, Kane Vitale, Fisher student Maggie Smith and Homestead Landscaping Design Manager and Builder Tom Hoffman.