Shalisa has been one of my best friends for over 15 years. Her program, Alegre Strings, is affiliated with the Merit School of Music in downtown Chicago. Alegre Strings started out over 10 years ago as a non-profit music education program (mostly violin instruction) dedicated to low income families from Hispanic neighborhoods. She just sent me this exciting news.

It was just confirmed this week that the Alegre Strings of the Merit School of Music will be included in this week's episode of Extreme Makeover-Home Edition. I nominated a family, the Noyola Family, who have 5 of their six children involved in the Alegre Strings program. It was a million to one chance that they would be chosen, but luckily they found their story compelling! We are so excited and we hope that you can tune in this Sunday at 7 p.m. on ABC!

We are not sure what parts of the filming that we did in October will actually be aired, but we are just thrilled that we will be included in the viewing.

We will also have a link for the Merit School of Music on their website starting next week in order for viewers nationally to contribute to our program!

Thank you to the many of you who have supported the program over the years. It is a thrill to see all the dedicated children (and their families) get national television exposure!

Congrats Shalisa! Can't wait to watch the show on Sunday night!!!