More than 50 volunteers are expected to be out bright and early this morning to help bring home Suffolk’s first Extreme Home Makeover.

Today is the United Way’s annual Day of Caring, which traditionally kicks off the local community campaign, and these volunteers, along with many others in Suffolk, are showing how much they care by putting their time, talent, sweat and money into making Suffolk a better place to live.

Extreme Home Makeover is the area wide theme United Way chose for this year’s event. In every Hampton Roads community a family in need is having their home transformed into something in which they can take pride and deserve.

In Suffolk, it’s the home of a single mother of a young boy. Volunteers over the past three days have been rehabilitating the entire structure – everything from flooring to landscaping, painting, plumbing, and carpentry. Not only that, but thanks to the generosity of area businesses, the home will also be filled with new furniture and appliances.

While we all can’t contribute to the makeover, there is still time today to get involved with the United Way, help your community and have a great time to boot.

The United Way’s first Nosh on the Nansemond restaurant extravaganza will take place today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina. About a dozen local restaurants are expected be on hand with great food to eat. There will be beer and wine to drink and live Jimmy Buffett-style music from the Calypso Nuts. Tickets cost just $20 and were expected to be available at the gate. All proceeds from the event will benefit United Way agencies in Suffolk.

So come out

this afternoon and join us; enjoy the great venue; help us celebrate our caring community.

We’d like to acknowledge all the businesses that are helping to sponsor today’s activities:

The Addison Group; Dominion Surry Power Station, Garcia Development LLC, AllFirst Industrial Contractors, Brandon House Furniture, Obici Hospital, Ciba, BDS Construction; Amadas Coach’ the city of Suffolk; the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project Inc. (STOP); Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; and Miller Beer.

Please thank these folks for caring about Suffolk.