‘Extreme’ gratitude
Christian Cody looks forward to watching the fall season of ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” with relief.
New episodes of the show are already being filmed with charismatic host Ty Pennington leading the way.
Cody, of Superior, feared for Pennington’s job when the 19-year-old fan learned his hero was arrested for drunk driving May 6. Five days later Cody started an online campaign on the non-partisan petitioning Web site Gopetition.com to convince ABC to give Pennington a second chance.
“People make mistakes,” Cody said. “Drunk driving isn’t something people do on purpose. To me ... it’s not what you do wrong that matters; it’s what you do to fix it that matters. And he did the right thing.”
Cody closed his petition in mid-June after reading about filming on the show’s fall season. The site received a total of 450 signatures from people throughout North America and Europe during its month-long run.
Cody was impressed by Pennington’s response to his arrest. The star issued an apology to fans and co-workers for his actions. In June, Pennington plead “no contest” to the charges. He received a fine, three years probation, 90 days suspended drive’s license, alcohol treatment and community service, according to the E! News Web site.
Instead of sending the Gopetition.com signatures to ABC, Cody sent them directly to Pennington and received a hand written thank you in return.
Pennington thanked Cody and expressed gratitude for the people who support him. He wrote that he’d continue doing his best.
“It may not have met its original purpose, but something good did come out of it in the end,” Cody said of the petition. “It’s just a reminder not only to him but everyone who signed it ... everyone who is going through a rough time — that it’s important to do things like this for others.”
Through his petitition Cody met people online and is keeping track of Gopetition.com campaigns for families seeking to participate in “Extreme Makeover” shows, he said.
People can support needy families by signing their petitions, Cody said.
Cody has been a fan of Pennington’s since learning the star shares his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Cody said Pennington’s success in life has been an inspiration. “Extreme Makeover” itself also inspired Cody to help others in his free time.
Besides starting a petition to save Pennington’s job, Cody also sponsors nine kids through Children International and donates each month to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
It costs about $200 per month to sponsor the children, he said, “I think it’s worth every penny.”
“I think it’s important to stand up for what you believe in,” Cody wrote on his site. “That’s something I learned from Ty. He’s still considered by many to be a true American hero, and it’s going to take more than a DUI to change that.”
Christian Cody began an online petition in support of Ty Pennington after the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” host’s May arrest for drunk driving. Cody’s peitition received 450 signatures, and the Superior teen received a letter from Pennington thanking him and all supporters.
Source: The Daily Telegram, Anna Kurth at (715) 395-5019 or e-mail akurth@superiortelegram.com.