Stewart Title Guaranty Company to be a Part of the Upcoming Episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition® Airing Dec. 17

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stewart Title Guaranty Company will be featured on an upcoming Christmas-themed episode of ABC television’s popular Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EM: HE) airing Sunday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. EST. The company participated with host Ty Pennington, a team of designers and HelpingaHero.org to build a custom home for a wounded U.S. Army veteran.

“Stewart Title is proud to have worked side-by-side with our network of independent title agencies, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HelpingaHero.org to help support our wounded veterans who have given so much to this country”

Through Stewart’s philanthropic program, Community of Sharing™, more than 1,900 associates of Stewart Title Guaranty Company’s independent agency network participated to raise more than $42,000, exceeding Stewart’s $35,000 donation goal, to help make home ownership in Floresville, TX possible for one wounded veteran, Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris, USA (Ret.).

As part of its contribution to the effort, Stewart Title also coordinated a mortgage payoff and clear title for Harris’ previous home. In addition, HelpingaHero.org and EM: HE hosted a VIP fundraiser which raised more than $1.1 million. Funds were used to pay off the mortgage on the Harris family’s new dream home and support 10 additional homebuilding projects to be undertaken by HelpingaHero.org in 2012.

“Stewart Title is proud to have worked side-by-side with our network of independent title agencies, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HelpingaHero.org to help support our wounded veterans who have given so much to this country,” said George Houghton, Stewart’s group president, agency operations. “It’s always rewarding to help families get into their adapted dream homes, and it was especially so in this case as evidenced by the tremendous outpouring of support from our independent agencies who were inspired by our heroes.”

Harris, a third generation Army veteran, was severely injured in Iraq when an explosive device hit his truck and burned more than 40 percent of his body. Even after numerous surgeries and an extensive recovery time, Harris continues to have issues with regulating his body temperature and breathing that were difficult to contend with in the mobile home he shared with his wife and children. The new home features an air filtration and conditioning system which will help ease his health challenges due to his extensive burns.

“As a Gold Star Dad, this project is very near and dear to me,” Houghton continues. “I am glad that we are able to help in some way those who have so valiantly served our country.”

The episode concludes the heart-tugging series’ four-episode return to ABC and features appearances by J.R. Martinez of “Dancing with the Stars” and “All My Children,” and country music superstar Lee Greenwood, who performs “God Bless the USA.”

About Community of Sharing

Stewart’s Community of Sharing program gives aid to communities and causes that support home ownership, promote good will, and build a "community of giving back" within Stewart associates, offices and network of agencies across the United States. The partnership with HelpingaHero.org will continue to help building homes for veterans wounded defending our country.

About HelpingaHero.org

HelpingaHero.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization providing support for military personnel, severely injured in the war on terror. HelpingaHero.org’s principal activity is to provide specially adapted homes for qualifying service members as well as engaging the community to provide services and resources for our wounded heroes and their families. To date, 61 homes have been awarded in 15 states. More information can be found at http://www.helpingahero.org.

About Stewart

Stewart Title Guaranty Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stewart Information Services Corp. (NYSE-STC), a customer-focused, global title insurance and real estate services company offering products and services through our direct operations, network of approved agencies and other companies within the Stewart family. Stewart provides these services to homebuyers and sellers; residential and commercial real estate professionals; mortgage lenders and servicers; title agencies and real estate attorneys; home builders; and United States and foreign governments. Stewart also provides loan origination and servicing support; loan review services; loss mitigation; REO asset management; home and personal insurance services; tax-deferred exchanges; and technology to streamline the real estate process. Offering personalized service, industry expertise and customized solutions for virtually any type of real estate transaction, Stewart is the preferred real estate services provider. More information can be found at http://www.stewart.com/news.