Otterbine donates aeration systems to Extreme Makeover

Emmaus, Pa.-based aeration and fountain systems manufacturer Otterbine Barebo has donated two of the company’s most energy-efficient aeration systems to a family in Hamburg, Pa., on behalf of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The aerators will maintain the cleanliness of a pond on the property of Trisha Urban, whose husband Andy died of a heart attack hours before the couple’s daughter was born.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” rebuilds or remodels homes for struggling families, often with labor and material donated by contractors in the area of the show’s project. In Trisha and Andy Urban’s case, the couple had moved into an 1800’s log home in need of restoration before Andy’s death in February 2009. The couple had been told they could not have children, but Trisha got pregnant with their daughter Cora in 2008. However, when Trisha went into labor, Andy, a brain cancer survivor with a congenital heart defect, went outside to feed the animals and lock the gates, but died of a heart attack.

Since her husband’s death, Trisha had been facing debt from medical costs associated with Andy’s health conditions, leading friends and family to hold various fundraising events in the community and founding the “Helping Care for Cora” charity. A friend then contacted Extreme Makeover for help.

In August, Fleetwood, Pa.-based Watkins Architect Firm contacted Otterbine for help with a distressed pond for the Urban family project. Otterbine evaluated the site and discovered that the pond was 50 percent covered in algae. To sustain water quality with long-term cost efficiency, Otterbine offered to donate and install an Air Flo System 5 and AquaSeries Deluxe package. Given one and a half days to manufacture and install the two aeration systems, including all electrical work, the entire Otterbine organization rallied together to make it happen. “We’re a small family business that is fortunate to have a team of generous people with strong values that are eager to help those in need,” said Otterbine President Carla Ott.

The episode aired on Oct. 17 and is available online at abc.go.com/watch/extreme-makeover-home-edition/SH559052/VD5593271/the-urban-family.