CTI Participates in ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

CTI donates an Avaya Partner System and Installation Services for Arena Family in Purdys, NY

May, 2006: Consolidated Technologies, Inc. recently participated in an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (Sundays 8/7c on ABC), providing the Arena Family in Purdys, New York with a brand new Avaya Partner phone system. The show aired on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14th, 2006, and was the high point of a year long process.

It all began back in 2005 when CTI Senior Sales Representative Steve Bierman approached CTI Marketing Manager Michael Latshaw with an idea about how CTI might help a neighbor of his in Purdys, NY. Steve told Michael the inspiring story of James and Gina Arena, whose 6-year old son Jimmy Boy was bravely battling an inoperable brain tumor. Along with the mounting medical bills and frequent trips to the emergency room, the Arenas had six other children who also needed their care and attention. The entire community, including the local police and fire departments, had gotten involved in helping the Arenas get through many challenging and difficult periods. Because of a letter campaign orchestrated by friends and neighbors, the Arena family was even being considered for the ABC show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," and Steve wondered if CTI might want to get involved.

Michael thought it sounded like a worthy cause, and presented it to CTI Chief Strategy Officer David Blau, who also approved. The project was a go. But then, tragedy struck when Jimmy Boy Arena passed away in September, 2005. It was a tremendous blow to the Arena family, as well as everyone who’d been providing support and hope for Jimmy Boy’s recovery. At that point, the idea of having an Extreme Home Makeover was far from anyone’s mind.

Then in January, Steve got word that the Arena family was actually a finalist for the show, though there was still no guarantee they’d ever be picked. So Michael wrote a letter to EMHE, offering CTI’s services should the family be chosen. In fact, many companies all over the tri-state area were offering help for the family. And on April 19th, the Arena family got a knock on their front door that would change their lives forever.

That morning, Ty and all the gang from EMHE showed up to give the Arena family the good news. From that moment forward, it was a whirlwind of activity. The 8-member family was quickly whisked off to a much needed vacation in Walt Disney World, while their old house was demolished and replaced with a beautiful new 2-story home.

Steve and a team of CTI technicians (Frank Cippartino, Tom Ryan and Paul McManus) worked for hours on the cabling, wiring and setting up of the phone system.  Senior Technician Frank Cippartino even stopped by on his way to the airport for a business trip to make sure everything was perfect before he left. 

“The Arenas have six girls, and each girl now has their own phone with voicemail.” Steve says, cracking a smile. “I don’t think the father, James Arena, was quite prepared for that. Six girls, each with their own phone next to their bed.”

Gina Arena loved the fact that she would now be able to page the entire house through the phone system when it’s time to come down for dinner. And in a house the size of the Arena's, that’s a very important feature to have.

The Avaya Partner system was chosen for the large Arena family because it will provide a fast and more powerful method of communication.  They can now transfer calls to anyone in the house, even if they’re on a different floor. They can also get their messages from any phone in the house, as well as send a group message to everyone in the family.

CTI’s involvement on the EMHE show was part of the “CTI Cares” program, launched in September 2005. It is a company-wide initiative to become involved in unique and important projects that give back to the community that supports our business. Along with the EMHE project, CTI also participated in the recent Revlon Run/Walk and is on the planning committee for an upcoming Red Cross Charity Golf Tournament.

Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition
Sundays 8/7c on ABC