NABEF Awards ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

WASHINGTON: The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation has selected an ABC series to receive its annual Leadership Award. ABC’s Emmy Award-winning “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will mark its seventh season this fall on the network. The show follows a team of carpenters and designers who lead a volunteer crew through a home renovation, typically for a family with particularly difficult needs.

The Leadership Award is NABEF’s highest honor. Previous recipients include Sir Elton John, Quincy Jones, Queen Noor of Jordon, Muhammad Ali, Nancy Reagan, Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, Laura Bush, Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn Carter

“Extreme Makeover” designer Paige Hemmis will accept the award on behalf of the show. She also serves as the spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity and other charities. In addition to the Leadership Award, NABEF announced the recipient of its Guardian Award, ThanksUSA founders Kelsi and Rachel Okun, for their work supporting the women and men in the Armed Forces. The Okun sisters were eight and 10 years old in 2005 when they founded the organization, which has awarded more than $5 million to more and 1,750 military families.

The awards will be presented during NABEF’s 11th annual Celebration of Service to America Awards on June 8. -- Deborah D. McAdams