Press Release: Magical Builders™ Completes 10-Day Estimated $1.5 Million Renovation of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Family Living Center

PHOENIX (March 14, 2005) – Magical Builders™, has announced the completion of its first national initiative, a 10-day, estimated $1.5 million renovation of the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Much like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the entire project was completed in a 10-day period from construction start to completion, with an estimated $1.5 million in materials and labor donated by numerous Valley companies.

The entire project, the first of many planned by The Frank Foundation, was filmed by Los Angeles, Calif.-based MDR Entertainment, LLC, for a possible television pilot.

” We are pleased, as a family, to be able to initiate a lasting contribution to our community,” said Christy Frank, who along with her husband, Jon, co-founded The Frank Foundation. “The Magical Builders™ program will effectuate this principle by renovating the facilities of non-profit organizations nationwide through youth-led, large-scale construction projects.”

Originally designed as a place to provide rest and comfort for families visiting their hospitalized children, the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital now showcases a complete space redesign and new appliances and furniture.

“All of the families that utilize the new Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital will enjoy the room’s joyful atmosphere,” said Steve Schnall, vice president of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “The renovation, which included a full kitchen, laundry room, showers, sleeping areas and desks for homework, makes the space more usable and will allow families the comfort that is so important when coping with the illness of a child.”

Individuals, families and corporations interested in helping sustain the completed Family Living Center can make a donation to the Magical Builders™ fund that has been established by The Frank Foundation. Donations will be used to purchase books, games, videos, toiletries, food and all that is necessary to provide the comforts of “home away from home.” Contributors donating $100 or more will receive recognition on the hospital’s newly designed donor wall, located at the entrance to the Children’s Garden.

“We are extremely appreciative of The Ameris Group, Cindi Battisti and Jessica Brown of Robb & Stucky Design Studio, REA Architecture, The Phoenix Suns Dancers and the nearly 20 subcontracting companies that have stepped up to the plate to partner with us on this project,” said Jon Frank. “As a Phoenix-based organization, it was very important to us that our first project benefit the community in which we live and work. Hopefully, we will be able to assist with many more local and national projects in the years to come.”

Magical Builders™ was inspired as an initiative of The Frank Foundation by the Frank’s daughters, Madeline, Makenzie and Abigail, who during the 2003 holiday season asked if they could give their “gifts” to friends in need. As a result, The Frank Foundation was formed with the mission of unifying people to advance the well being of children and their communities.

The Frank Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) (status pending) organization dedicated to renovating and improving the facilities of non-profit organizations serving the needs of families and children across the country.