Just a little more than 24 hours after the announcement that popular ABC-TV show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” would be coming to Freeborn County, more than 300 general volunteers had signed up to help one local family get a home makeover.

From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday — the day of the announcement — 140 people had replied to the call for general unskilled volunteers, said LuAnn Mannes of Larson Contracting, the company that signed with the show’s producers to build the house for no compensation. As of noon Wednesday, that number shot up above 300.

“The response is wonderful,” Mannes said. “We are so excited to see the response. Every time we pull up the e-mail and see those coming in, it just makes us so excited.”

Host Ty Pennington and his design team will knock on the door of the selected family on Sept. 30. From there, the show will work with local contractors and volunteers to construct the family a new home in 4 1/2 days. Volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, are being sought for Oct. 2 through 7.

Mannes said the total number of people needed for the whole project — including skilled volunteers, contractors and general volunteers — is about 1,200 people. She’s estimates that number will be reached quickly.

Right now, for unskilled volunteers, she said, there are more time slots available on the weekdays of Oct. 2, 3, 6 and 7 and during the overnight hours.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” pep rally

When:

8 a.m. Tuesday

Where:

Crossroads Church, Albert Lea

She encouraged people interested in participating in even one shift during the week to send in their application.

“If they feel like they can’t take the whole week off and volunteer the whole week, then send it in anyway,” Mannes said.

They might be needed to fill in at different times.

Since there is a big response expected, however, some people who want to volunteer may just need to be spectators and help cheer the workers along, she said.

By Sept. 23 — when Conrad Ricketts, executive producer of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” will host a pep rally at 8 a.m. at Crossroads Church — tasks will be assigned to volunteers and organizers will have an idea if more volunteers are needed, Mannes said.

To volunteer for the home makeover, visit the official site: AlbertLeaTribune.com/larsoncontractingextreme to find the volunteer form.

At the pep rally, Ricketts will give out more information about what’s happening with the project for general and skilled volunteers and even spectators.

“He gets people excited about becoming a part of this project,” Mannes said.

Everyone is welcome at the event.

Volunteers interested in participating in the home makeover must be 18 or older.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” airs every Sunday at 7 p.m.