MILBRIDGE – The episode of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” filmed here earlier this year is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6.

A 4,300-square-foot home for the family of Ron Smith and Brittany Ray was built by volunteers in one week in September.

Those volunteers and behind-the-scenes moments will be featured in a locally produced special before the network premiere of the Milbridge episode. Local viewers can tune in to the ABC affiliate at 6:30 p.m. to see “The Week Extreme Makeover Came To Milbridge” hosted by ABC 7 News anchor Cindy Michaels and Ric Tyler of 103.9 WVOM.

The Ray-Smith family was nominated by the community and selected by ABC’s “Extreme Makeover” to be featured on the reality TV show.

More than 600 people turned out throughout the week to help complete the Ray-Smith home on time and give the family a fresh start. Numerous businesses donated supplies and time to the project.

The Ray-Smith family was selected to participate in the show for a number of reasons, according to its producers. The family homestead was built in the early 1900s by Brittany Ray’s great-great-grandparents. It lacked insulation and had an outdated septic system, a cracking foundation, an outdated furnace that overheated, a leaky roof, freezing pipes and hazardous electrical wiring.

The show’s producers also cited the family’s mounting expenses as the couple struggles to pay off school loans and medical bills.

Thomas Ray-Smith, 8, has autism, and doctors say that although it’s too early to tell for sure, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Ray-Smith, 3, likely is autistic as well.

Not only does ABC look for a family that needs help, it selects families that are involved in the community. Brittany Ray and Ron Smith are Sunday school teachers and are involved in several community organizations, including the Autism Society of Maine. Brittany Ray was named Maine 2007 Teacher of the Year for her work as an English teacher at Narraguagus High School in Harrington.