Apr 13, 2009

Woodstock Chimes Products Donated as Part of Home Renovation by ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

Shokan, N.Y. – Woodstock Chimes®, a leading manufacturer of precision-tuned windchimes and specialty musical instruments for children, is proud to announce its recent product inclusion in an episode of ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The episode focused on a family of nine, including their hurricane-damaged home, a father with cancer and five disabled children adopted from China. The significant language barriers prevented family members from effectively communicating, which lead to their discovery of communication through the universal language of music. The Woodstock Chimes products donated were from its specialty music collection, to be used in the family’s music room.

“My one goal with this company was to bring musical harmony to open ears, and now we’re a part of something so much larger than I could have ever imaged,” says Garry Kvistad, owner of Woodstock Chimes. “Not only is this family able to enjoy their own melodic sounds, but they’re able to express their thoughts, feelings and love to one another. For me, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Extraordinary compassion led George Kadzis, father, prison dentist and brain cancer patient, and Barbara Kadzis, mother and lifelong teacher who herself was adopted, to open their hearts and home to special-needs children adopted from orphanages in China. The Kadzis family faced major challenges in their cramped, hurricane-damaged home, which was especially difficult for daughter Melody, who is blind, to navigate. The other adopted brothers and sisters also have significant physical challenges: Julia is deaf; Martin’s right arm and hand are deformed; and Phoenix and Celeste are now having their cleft palates repaired. Aileen lost her birth father to cancer and her birth mother fled after his death. Because Barbara and George Kadzis couldn’t speak fluent Chinese, and several of their adopted children could barely communicate in any fashion, the family turned to the universal language of music as an instrument to heal, communicate and transform. Chris, Barbara and George’s biological son, Chris, and Martin play the guitar and piano; Aileen plays the flute; and Melody plays the zither, while sister Julia dances like she’s listening to every note despite her inability to hear.

To help Ty Pennington and the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” crew provide the Kadzi family with the most exquisite specialty music instruments, Nicole Hosking, owner of a local “Learning Express” retail store in Tallahassee, FL welcomed the opportunity. The retailer donated various Woodstock Chimes products, including its signature Remo Lollipop Drum®, Chimalong® and Woodstock Kid’s Guitar™. All of these outstanding products have been recognized with awards including, two Oppenheim Awards (Remo Lollipop Drum and Kid’s Guitar), Parent’s Choice Award – Top 25 Toy Award (Chimalong) and the 2008 Oppenheim – Blue Chip Award (Chimalong).

“Having our products be part of something so positive and inspiring is sheer joy for the company,” says Kvistad. “We certainly hope to be part of another incredible Extreme Makeover: Home Edition life and home renovation.”

About Woodstock Chimes: Woodstock Chimes is a leading manufacturer of precision-tuned windchimes, award-winning musical instruments and soothing home and garden décor. Grammy® recipient Garry Kvistad and his wife, Diane, created their first product 30 years ago in New York’s Hudson Valley, where the company continues to design gifts and accessories using superior materials found around the world. The result is a unique collection of over 200 different products that bring joyful sounds to people of all ages. Popular collections include: Asli Arts, Precious Stones, Woodstock Gongs, Inspirational Chimes, Temple Bells and, of course, its Classic Chimes. For more information on Woodstock Chimes, visit www.chimes.com or call (800) 422-4463.

About ABC-TVs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
The Emmy award winning reality program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” now in its 6th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldbe is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET on ABC.