While Hopkins teachers Erik and Vicki Swenson and their family visited the Magic Kingdom in August, a team of hundreds of designers, builders and volunteers created some magic of their own for the family, who returned to a new house more than twice the size of the one they left earlier in the week.
The Swensons received the news Aug. 21 that they had been chosen for a segment of ABC-TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which selects two dozen deserving families each season to receive new, custom-built homes as a result of challenging circumstances. Shortly after the news, the family left on vacation, and work began on their new home.
Fellow educators in Hopkins nominated the Swensons after the death of Vicki's sister. Teri Lee was shot and killed in her Washington County home by an abusive ex-boyfriend Sept. 22, 2006, in front of her 11-year-old daughter. Lee's husband died in a car accident several years earlier.
The Swensons, who have three daughters -- a 10-year-old and 18-month-old twins -- adopted Lee's four children, who range in age now from 6 to 12. And the Swensons are expecting a daughter in early November, bringing their family of nine to a total of 10.
After leaving their three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath, 2,300-square-foot home, they returned Aug. 28 to a home with 5,600 square feet, seven bedrooms and five bathrooms. The project will be featured in a two-hour special edition Nov. 25, the show's 100th episode.
Vicki not only opened her home to her nieces and nephews, but became an advocate to protect women and children from domestic abuse, helping write two bills to provide greater protections. She's a family and consumer sciences teacher on leave of absence, although she recently returned to Hopkins to coach volleyball. Erik, an Education Minnesota member, is a world studies teacher at the high school.
Nominating the family isn't the only support colleagues have shown them since the tragedy. Local union members worked with the administration, community and students on a benefit last fall that raised $175,000 for the family. Colleagues also helped establish a fund for donations. For information, visit www.swensonlee.com, or send donations to:
Children of Teri Lee Memorial Fund
c/o Lake Elmo Bank
11465 39th St. N.
Lake Elmo, MN 55042