ATHENS, VT – Irving Oil is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming December 9^th episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. When the home of the Vitale family of Athens, Vermont was selected for an ‘extreme makeover’ in September, Irving Oil was thrilled to contribute. As the Vitale family’s home heating supplier, the project had special significance for many within Irving Oil.

 

Company employees embraced the family project, working tirelessly and giving their time and energy during the seven-day period needed to build a new house that would accommodate the special needs of the Vitale family and their physically challenged son, Louie Jr. Some of that work included running fuel lines to the new home and providing the labor for the installation of the propane tank as well as the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which will keep the Vitales comfortable in their new home.  Irving Oil also donated the new propane tank plus 500 gallons of propane, in addition to supplying the fuel for the entire construction project.

 

“Not only did we get an amazing house, we received many amazing gifts from local businesses. Irving Oil donated 500 gallons of propane to fill our new tank and then gave us more than $2,000 in credit as well. That takes an incredible amount of strain off our budget and is a long term benefit that we could never have expected,” says Sara Vitale, Louie Jr.’s mother.

 

“It was inspiring to see members of our own team and others from the surrounding communities come out and help the Vitales,” said Sheldon Illsley, Manager of Irving Oil’s Home Heat Operations in New England. ”It is very important to be a good neighbor. We were very proud to do our part to help this deserving family.” 

 

Louis Jr. has been diagnosed with arthrogryposis, which Sara Vitale describes as an illness affecting his joints and muscles. He has limited mobility and is expected to be confined to a wheelchair for most of his life. While the details of the interior of the Vitale’s new home cannot be described – that’s the surprise at the end of the show – Vitale said the main goal was to make the house accessible to 2-year old Louie Jr.

 

The Vitale segment of the show is scheduled to be broadcast on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. EST on your local ABC affiliate. For more information about the Vitale family, the businesses that participated in the Vitales edition of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, or the show itself and how to donate to the family, please visit us on-line at www.irvingoil.com.

 

 

Lars Trodson

Public Affairs

Irving Oil