United Rentals Participates in Joplin "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

United Rentals employees last week worked around the clock in Joplin, Mo., providing construction equipment and services to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” as part of the largest homebuilding blitz in the show’s history. More than 140 pieces of construction equipment were delivered to seven construction sites in the city, according to Trent Brumley, manager of the United Rentals branch in nearby Springfield.

The effort is part of United Rentals' fifth year of partnership with “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which has relied on the company for equipment and volunteers on more than 80 new home constructions. The show pledged to build homes for seven families in a matter of days, including Justin and Kari Nevins and their four children. The Nevins family has been living in a friend's basement since losing their home in the May tornado.

The Springfield, Mo., United Rentals branch previously supplied equipment to an “Extreme Makeover” build in Ash Grove, Mo., two years ago. But the scale of the Joplin project was the largest to date. Brumley said his team has been supporting Joplin from the earliest days of the recovery efforts, coordinating equipment deliveries from throughout the district.

“Employees have set aside vacations and time off to serve the needs of the people affected by the tornado,” he said. “The past five months have been a powerful reminder of United Rentals' commitment to do whatever it takes to help our customers and communities. “Extreme Makeover” has given us an opportunity to extend that commitment to seven deserving families.”

In addition to the Nevins family, new homes were built for the Walters family, Howard family, Nguyen family, Cogdill family and Whitely family, all of whom suffered devastating losses in the tornado. In addition, Meg Bourne and Brooke Hines, founders of the international arts program Art Feeds, received a new residence and program headquarters to replace the rental home they lost.

“Over 80 projects and more than 5,000 pieces of equipment, United Rentals has come through for us every time,” said Diane Korman, senior producer of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” “Even in remote locations, United Rentals always has a branch close enough to arrange all the equipment we need, ensure its reliability, and deliver it within a three-hour window. Most importantly, they share our 'safety first' philosophy.”

The episode featuring Joplin will air on ABC on a date to be announced.