The HON Company Has Lead Role in 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'

Rescuing A Nashville Pre-School Ravaged By May Floods

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Sep 10, 2010, 01:50 ET

MUSCATINE, Iowa, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC-TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has turned to The HON Company for help with the hit reality show's transformation of a school.

The makeover project, which was officially announced today, is a pre-school in Nashville that was a victim of the punishing May floods. HON, North America's leader in workplace furniture solutions, is responding to a call from the show's design team to provide its award-winning SmartLink™ classroom furniture systems, along with seating for students as well as for instructors and aides. The contribution of furnishings, which will also include administrative offices and complete the entire facility beyond the four classrooms due to be revealed on the Sunday, November 7th broadcast.

"When the call came for us to provide what was needed, we were empathetic and willing to commit," said Shelley deSilva, HON vice president marketing. "We're an Iowa-based company, and our own community knows firsthand the tragedy Mother Nature and floods of this proportion can inflict. HON has made it a corporate practice to extend a helping hand whenever possible, and our members also personally rally to volunteer when disasters like this occur."

Aside from its own experiences with flood-ravaged homes and businesses, deSilva said The HON Company also felt an affinity for the people of Nashville by way of regional roots. HON has two manufacturing facilities that are both within 200 miles of Nashville—one in Florence, AL, and the other in Cedartown, GA. Much of the furniture headed to the "Extreme Makeover" project is coming from these factories.

According to deSilva, many of these SmartLink components are part of the "Extreme Makeover" package. Additionally, she said, HON is providing its Vicinity desks and storage for the pre-school's administrative office, plus dozens of chairs from its Ignition seating series. All told, The HON Company will be outfitting 4 classrooms, a lounge, reception area and 2 administrative offices.

"'Extreme Makeover' is a rare breed reality show that celebrates the indomitable American spirit and illustrates how important collaboration and cooperation are among individuals," said deSilva. "These are The HON Company's core values, as well, so we feel especially privileged to be participating in this project."

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SOURCE The HON Company