From left, Central Catholic parent Ann Eckles, director of enrollment management Jonie Jackson, and English teacher/International Baccalaureate program coordinator Adele Dahlin work in the kitchen of the Clark home in Toledo. (Photo courtesy of Central Catholic High School)

Mr. Clark, a teacher at Central Catholic for 28 years, was one of five finalists for ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” last September.  The Clark family was not selected for the Toledo build despite a petition of more than 5,000 signatures supporting them.  Since then, interested and caring members of the Central Catholic community have been helping the family renovate their home.  

The Clarks have four adopted children and have fostered more than 80 children, most with special needs, in their 84-year-old south Toledo home.  

The school hosted a benefit concert in May that drew about 1,000 people and netted $20,000 to fund a kitchen renovation for the Clark family.  

On July 24 and 25, several faculty and staff members and students from Central Catholic, as well as other members of the community, began kitchen renovations by cleaning and removing appliances, cabinets, counter tops, ceiling tiles, drywall and flooring.  A professional contractor is completing the renovation.

To date, the Central Catholic community has successfully completed the roof replacement, the replacement of the main sewer line from the Clarks’ home to the street, and upgrades to the electrical system throughout the home. The kitchen is expected to be finished in August, and painting of the home exterior is to be done by Sept. 1.