United Bank workers provided some helping hands recently as a reality TV show built a new home for a Madison family in need.

United Bank, which has three branches in Covington, helped reality TV celebrity Ty Pennington and the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" crew on a house for the Rucker family.

They were in need of a new home to accommodate their daughter Anaiah, who was injured earlier in the year when she jumped in the path of an oncoming truck and pushed her younger sister Camary to safety. Anaiah lost her left leg and a kidney and sustained a multitude of other medical complications. The rising fifth-grader has spent much of the summer regaining her strength so that she can continue playing sports, singing in the chorus and making straight A's in school.

United Bank, in partnership with Pilot Builders, Smart Properties and other local area sponsors, launched the seven-day construction effort after the Rucker Family was whisked away to sunny Orlando's Disney World Resort, according to a release.
As Anaiah's heroic news unfolded, celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Dwight Howard reached out to her. Following an airing of her story on the Today Show and a link listed on Yahoo News, United Bank's Chairman John Edwards began receiving the first phone calls and emails requesting information about donating to the family. An account at United Bank was set up and continues to accept donations for the Ruckers and this recent building effort.

The "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" designers and crew had only one week to build a brand new home for The Ruckers. The family now has a 2,300-square-foot, three bedroom, three bath, Craftsman bungalow.

United Bank's Madison Division President, Russell Carter, commented, "I've always been proud to be an employee of United Bank. When 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' came to Madison, we had the chance to step up and truly show that we are indeed about supporting our communities. The participation came from our senior management team and throughout the organization - all because of one very brave and beloved little girl."

United Bank hosted the "Rest and Relaxation Tent" on the construction site. The bankers also fulfilled a variety of jobs both on and off the camera.

The new season premieres Sunday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m. on ABC. Watch for The Rucker Family/Georgia Build Project episode in mid-October.