'Extreme Makeover' cast holds fundraiser at La Zona Rosa
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Making money with 'Makeover' crew

Ty Pennington and the rest of the cast of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" showed up at La Zona Rosa on Monday night for a fundraiser to benefit an Austin family for whom they'll be building a new home.

"Hello, Austin," Pennington yelled — minus his trademark megaphone — to rev up a crowd that included Mayor Will Wynn and about 200 others.

The goal was to raise $140,000 to pay off the mortgage for the O'Donnell family, whose current home has mold, a leaky roof and other problems.

Five of the six O'Donnell children have autism, and the new house will include amenities to help the children.

Pennington and other "Makeover" crew members have been in Austin for several days. Paul DeMeo, one of the show's designers, said the crew enjoyed a good dinner Saturday night at Sullivan's Steakhouse.

It's the last nice meal they'll probably enjoy for a while: Round-the-clock work on the new house starts today after the old house is demolished.

Pennington has also been spotted at Austin Java Co. on Lamar Boulevard and the Four Seasons Hotel bar downtown.

Georgetown builder Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes is building the house and organizing a donation drive for the O'Donnells. People can send checks to Celebration Church, Box 249, Georgetown, TX 78626. The check should include the notation "Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes – Project 415."

— Claudia Grisales