ABF Freight System, Inc., trucks rolled into South Central Los Angeles recently as a part of a highly coordinated effort to revitalize the lives of a family whose fortunes had taken a tragic turn due to a mistaken identity. The trucks delivered supplies used by the crew of ABC-TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to completely build, specially equip, decorate and landscape a dream home for the family.

Every Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project is a challenge requiring coordination and logistical management to meet a looming deadline. Each episode features an entire house being renovated, including interior, exterior and landscaping ¯ all within one week from start to finish. The show chronicles the production team's effort to transform the homes of deserving families confronting difficult circumstances, like the Anderson family of South Central Los Angeles.

In March 2000, Rodney Anderson was on his way to a professional basketball career and a degree in social work, thanks to a full basketball scholarship from California State University at Fullerton. On a rare day off from practice, he came home to South Central L.A. to have dinner with his family. Afterwards, he went for a walk — the last time he would do so. Gang members mistook Rodney as a rival and shot him in the back, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down and with limited use of his arms.

Built in 1911, the Anderson's three-bedroom, one-bath house was in such bad shape that the living room ceiling was on the verge of collapsing, and the floorboards couldn't bear the weight of Rodney's wheelchair. As a result, Rodney was restricted to two rooms in the house, which included the dining room that had been converted into his bedroom.

The contractors, designers and hundreds of workers, including assistance from Habitat for Humanity and demolition help from the Sheriff's Department, transformed the Anderson's house into an ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant home in eight days. ABF deliveries included a wide variety of supplies and materials, including fiberglass insulation and the technological devices to aid the physically challenged.

The project is chronicled in two back-to-back episodes airing Sunday, January 16 (7-8 p.m. and 8-9 p.m., EST) on the ABC Television Network.

“Like other ABF customers, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has come to rely on our flexibility, responsiveness, and commitment to meeting requirements,” says ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. “We're pleased to continue to provide transportation and logistical support for such an admirable undertaking.”

Established in 1923, ABF is one of North America's oldest and most reputable motor carriers.  It continues to be recognized as a benchmark for safety, security, technology, and freight-handling standards.  Last year, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) awarded ABF with the Excellence in Security Award, the 28th time that ABF has been recognized by the organization since 1971. Its emphasis on quality and value was cited by Logistics Management magazine, which awarded ABF a 2004 Quest for Quality Award. And it was twice recognized by CIO magazine for innovative excellence in information technology, earning the 2005 CIO Enterprise Value Award for the transportation industry and a spot on the 2004 CIO Top 100 Agile Companies list.

ABF operates an extensive network of customer service centers and distribution facilities strategically located throughout North America. Through this network, ABF provides comprehensive shipping services to all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. In addition to its broad service to Mexico, the carrier offers service to 250 ports in more than 130 countries worldwide. Via its TimeKeeper service, ABF provides guaranteed expedited service for time-critical and time-definite shipments.

ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS).

Contact: Mr. Russ Aikman, director of marketing & public relations
Telephone: (479) 785-8913