News Home

new releases

Sign Biz® Network Continues a Tradition of Giving
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Receives $25,000 Contribution


Teresa Young & Don SmithFort Hood, TX (December 6, 2010) Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the Emmy-award winning hit reality show on ABC Television, is in the North Central Texas area to give one lucky family an extreme home makeover. Tilson Home Corporation, the Texas Association of Builders and Temple-Inland are joining together for the Heart of Texas Build. Along with all the community volunteers donating their time and energy to make this happen this week, one group of entrepreneurs is stepping up as well. Teresa M. Young, president,Sign Biz®, Inc., was approached by Don Smith, owner of Imagination SIGNworks in McKinney, TX, about a production of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Texas. Young’s company founded a worldwide chain of nearly 200 independently-owned digital sign businesses known as The Sign Biz Network. Don’s company is a member.
Pictured Teresa M. Young and Don Smith

Young was immediately committed to bringing this cause, known only as “Production #816,” to all Sign Biz Members coast to coast and around the globe. These brick-and-mortar sign companies, together with Imagination SIGNworks, gave Young the confidence to commit to an original goal of $10,000 worth of cash and in-kind donations for the week-long build project.

Even in these tough economic times, and not knowing who the lucky recipient would be, the goal was exceeded. Don Smith shared the good news with the sign chain in an email communication on December 2nd. He wrote, “The Network Members are meeting the goal that Teresa and I set and committed to for the Heart of Texas and Extreme Makeover build event. Our goal – our promise to them originally, was for a total contribution of $10,000, but through your efforts, the assistance of some of our suppliers and Teresa and the entire Sign Biz Network we will reach $25,000!”

Today, December 6th, the story behind this production was revealed:

On November 5, 2009, a gunman fired more than 100 rounds at soldiers and civilians at Fort Hood. In the aftermath,13 people were left dead, and 32 others were wounded. Among those caught in the crossfire, Patrick Zeigler, a soldier who had only returned from Iraq 2 weeks prior. On that ill-fated day, Zeigler was hit 4 times with a near fatal gunshot to the head. Patrick’s life was forever changed. After hearing of his tragedy, fiancée Jessica Hansen put her college degree on hold in order to be by his side and aid in his recovery.

SSG Patrick Zeigler has spent over 10 months in the hospital fighting for his life, and was the last remaining hospitalized soldier from the attack. With his beloved Jessica by his side, he has vowed to continue the fight and return to serving his country. He is exceeding doctor’s expectations and Patrick is walking again with the aid of a cane. Hansen, a neuropsychology major, made instrumental decisions regarding Zeigler’s care, and many credit her consistent love and support to his miraculous recovery against all odds. On September 8th, Ziegler was finally able to return to Fort Hood to embark on the next stage of his career and begin life together with his fiancée.

Now Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is embarking on an opportunity to give this brave couple a foundation to begin a new chapter of their life together. One year after the devastating events, the design team will pay tribute to the victims and their families, and will help begin the healing process. In just seven days, team leader Ty Pennington, designers Leigh Anne Tuohy, Paul DiMeo, and Xzibit, will work with local builder Tilson Homes, the Texas Association of Builders and Temple-Inland Inc to pave a new path for Patrick and Jessica to embark on a lifetime of love and happiness. .

“We are so proud to be giving back – it’s a long-standing tradition of the Sign Biz Network. We were there for the floods of South Dakota, for a baby’s heart, for Mid-South Sign Association during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and for this Texas opportunity to once again show the generosity of the Sign Biz Network.

“Thanks to Don Smith, who is making all of the more than 100 signs and banners, and to all of you who have joined us in making a difference, with your donations to this worthy cause,” said Young.

Two company representatives will be able to participate in the Braveheart March for the episode that averages 6.8 million viewers. In her YouTube video address late last month (www.youtube.com/signbiznetwork) Young said, “When they say, Move That Bus!! I’ll be there, standing proudly alongside Don Smith, who started all of this with his deep commitment, and I’ll be standing beside all of you in spirit. The Sign Biz Network is kindness in action, yesterday, today, and always.”

Also contributing were sign industry suppliers who donated products for Production #816. Denco Sales (Kris Kliever), Denver, CO; and N.Glantz & Son (Gary Palmore & Joe Salvador), Dallas, TX both helped in this cause.

Banner of ThanksListed on the build team website (www.heartoftexasbuild.com) are the sponsors and partners, including product suppliers, food companies, travel entities, and the Sign Biz Network, as well as Imagination SIGNworks.

(www.heartoftexasbuild.com/sponsors-partners.aspx ) Onsite banners (pictured left) featuring the Sign Biz Network logo will be scattered throughout the build (for example: Street Signs, Catering Tent, Spectator Shuttle stop, etc).

The airdate is not determined, but typically the shows air 6 to 8 weeks after production, according to ABC spokesperson. "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" airs Sunday evenings at 8 p.m. ET, 7 pm Central, on ABC-affiliated TV stations.

During the week-long build, a media tent will be available for all qualified media members. To schedule interviews with builders, family and talent or to request credentials, please contact Dawn Dantzler from Planet Central Advertising at 512-413-0891.

Print Version of Earlier Release

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

About Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

This ratings-rich Emmy award winning reality series, now in its 8th season, features a race against time on a project that would ordinarily take at least four months to achieve, involving a team of designers, contractors, and several hundred workers, who have just seven days to totally rebuild an entire house. And Ty and his crew do it from the ground up, adding five-star luxuries and the occasional theme park attraction. Each self-contained episode is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America.

Sign Biz Logo med

About Sign Biz® Inc.
Sign Biz, Inc., founder of the largest worldwide chain of independently-owned digital sign & graphics businesses, provides turnkey equipment, marketing, and operational support for its member companies in the digital sign and graphics industry. Consulting, project management and ongoing education programs are offered to Sign Biz Network Members on an exclusive basis.

The Mission of the Sign Biz organization is to provide an innovative and productive digital sign and graphics business model, the best education and equipment, and lifetime member services, to support entrepreneurs in the most successful network of full-service imaging sign companies worldwide.

###

Contact Us
If you have any further questions or would like additional information about this news release please contact:
Paul Strauch, VP Worldwide Product Development
24681 La Plaza, Suite 270
Dana Point, CA 92629
800-633-5580
pauls [at] signbiz.com

For More Information.

If you have any further questions or would like additional information about Sign Biz Inc., please contact:
Teresa M. Young
President /CEO
24681 La Plaza, Suite 270
Dana Point, CA 92629
800-633-5580
tyoung [at] signbiz.com