HONORING AMERICA'S BRAVEST AT THE HOLIDAYS, "EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" BRINGS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO THE ZDROJ FAMILY OF SMITHVILLE, TEXAS

"Zdroj Family" - The iconic "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" returns to ABC with a new primetime holiday themed special episode with Ty Pennington, the team of designers and firefighters from across the nation. The Zdroj Family episode will premiere MONDAY, DECEMBER 3 (8:00-9:00 & 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. There are two more "EM:HE" special holiday episodes which will air on December 10 and December 17.

It was fitting that the Zdroj family settled on a property next to The Heart of Pines Volunteer Fire Department. Mizzy Zdroj had long dreamed of being a firefighter just like her hero, her grandfather. The Zdroj family practically lived off of the land, growing their own food and trying to live a "green" lifestyle. Mizzy kept a small art studio in a camper on the property, and made money by selling the dolls she crafted by hand.

A small wildfire in the area quickly raged out of control - becoming what is now known as the Bastrop wildfire, a fire that consumed more than 34,000 acres -- the largest wildfire in Texas history. While Mizzy Zdroj and other unpaid heroes from the volunteer fire department fought the flames, more than 1,600 homes, including the Zdroj family's, burned to the ground. They family not only lost their house and belongings, but Mizzy's livelihood as well when her farm and art studio went up in flames.

Currently 71% of all fire departments nationwide are volunteer departments. These volunteers risk their lives just like the heroes who are paid, but use old gear or equipment they bought themselves. It's usually firemen who are giving back to their communities through toy drives and food distribution during the holidays. THIS year "EM: HE" will give America's Bravest the biggest Christmas gift ever - a new home for the Zdroj Family and a dream renovation for the Heart of the Pine Fire Department.

The "EM:HE" design team has just seven days to build a brand new home for the Zdroj family, as well as remodel the firehouse for the community of volunteer firefighters. The Zdroj family has been whisked away on a coast-to-coast Christmas Vacation -- first to New York for a Christmas celebration, then off on a big surprise visit to a very special location on the west coast -- while "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" team leader Ty Pennington, designers Paul DiMeo, Tracy Hutson, John Littlefield, Jeff Dye and local builders EFC Custom Homes, as well as community volunteers build the structure and Meyerson Custom Builders, L.P. renovate the fire house.

"EM:HE" is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The series is executive-produced by Brady Connell & George Verschoor. This program airs in HD with 5.1 audio, and carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

For more information on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," visit ABC.com http://abc.com/ExtremeHome.