OxfordPress.com

WEST CHESTER TWP. — The crowds and construction crews surrounding "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" were gone from the Akers family's front yard Friday, July 18, but the gifts kept coming.

As Greg and Ginger Akers and their children, Christian, Brooke and Faith, stood on the new front walkway of their newly built West Chester Twp. home, representatives from area companies lined up to present gifts.

Carl Lindner, Craig Lindner and Doug Sheper of Great American Insurance gave the family a $100,000 college scholarship fund. Hanover Insurance and Sibcy Cline Insurance Services gave a free one-year homeowner's insurance policy. Sam's Club presented the family with $500 and a one-year membership. Meijer gave the family free groceries and gas for a year, and Dr. Gerald Johnson of Johnson Orthodontics offered free braces for the children.

The family's home was transformed from a modest bi-level to a stunning stone ranch during a construction marathon, filmed by production crews from "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" from July 9-17.

"It's a dream come true," said Ginger Akers, her voice cracking. "The girls ran around the house (in their wheelchairs) all night last night; I didn't have to lift them one time.

"It's so overwhelming," she said.

"It's an awesome feeling to know people were coming together for us in the community," said Greg Akers.

The family answered a few more questions to reporters, then the gifts began rolling in again.

Lichtenberg Landscaping donated spring yard cleanup services for the next five years. Christian publisher Standard Publishing donated teaching materials to the teachers who spearheaded the letter writing campaign that won the family a spot on the TV show and gave the Akerses a $1,500 gift certificate. Local ice cream spot, The Cone, donated 1½ years of free ice cream. Upwards Basketball offered a year of free play for the children, and the Great Miami Valley YMCA donated a year's membership for the family.

Paul Mitchell Schools gave the family a year of free haircuts. Jewels of Park Lane gave them new jewelry. Valvoline Instant Oil Change offered free maintenance for their cars, for the life of the vehicles.

MC Mobility Services presented a van capable of carrying two wheelchairs. So much was raised in the fund drive for the van, the family will also receive additional funds to help with its maintenance.