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Extreme Makeover in Seminole

'Extreme' builder remembers other victims too

A scholarship is set up in one woman's name, and another victim's survivors get a home rent-free for a year.

By CHASE SQUIRES
Published March 15, 2005

SEMINOLE - A television crew continued to work in the background Monday, but for the builders and volunteers at ABC-TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition site, it was a day for thanks and hugs.

Lexington Homes, Extreme Makeover and an army of volunteers and donors built a new home last week for James Dolan, the 30-year-old father of three blinded in the Nov. 18 St. Petersburg RadioShack shootings. The Dolans weren't in evidence Monday, but the show's star, Ty Pennington, could be seen popping in and out of the new house filming followups for the show.

In a tent packed with visitors and volunteers, Lexington Homes announced surprises for the families of two other victims, both killed in the shooting that cost Dolan his sight.

A scholarship fund set up for the Dolans' three children was named in honor of Joana Cruz, a 19-year-old woman who died in the shooting. She had dreamed of attending college, said her brother, Jose. The fund will honor that dream.

And working with its rental division, Lexington Homes announced it was providing a two-bedroom apartment, rent free, for a year to the children of shooting victim Kenneth Powell and their mother, Quanese Dorsey.

Dorsey, wiped tears from her eyes as Lexington financial officer Dan Bicz announced the gift, as well as furniture donated by Rooms To Go, televisions and a computer from RadioShack, and a year's cable and Internet service from Bright House. Holding children Kenneth Jr., 3, and Quantez, 2, Dorsey thanked everyone involved.

"We've been praying for the Dolans and the Cruz family," she said. "You are always in my prayers."

Bright House is also donating cable, telephone and Internet service to the Dolans for as long as they live in their new home. And donors have provided the Dolans with $100,000, plus $30,000 to train his new guide dog, Lexie, as well as free accounting service, homeowners insurance, solar heating, appliances and other gifts.

Lexington Homes president Craig Gallagher said gifts continued to pour in and it would take days to get all of them to the families. He said Wachovia Bank has one big surprise left, a large scholarship and retirement fund for the Dolans that will be revealed when their episode of Extreme Makeover airs.

No date has been set yet for the show, but it typically takes five to eight weeks to produce and air. A party is being planned for family and friends to watch it together.

[Last modified March 15, 2005, 07:15:40]