At the entrance of Maria and Vic Llanes’ new home, a sculpture depicts a series of hands—and transmits a welcoming feeling to all who visit.

“The sculpture contains sign language for ‘Welcome home, Llanes family,’” explains Vic Llanes. “It was done that way so my son, Zeb, who is deaf, could read it—and we could all feel at home.”

The custom-made sculpture was given to the Llanes family by the design team of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” during a two-hour special episode of the ABC-TV show on Sept. 17, 2006. The unusual work of art was created by a dentist, using “dental material” to craft the hands.

Every member of the Bergenfield, N.J., family has special needs. Vic, the father, is blind, and his wife, Maria, is fighting thyroid cancer. In addition to their deaf son, the couple has two daughters, Guen and Carrie, who both have impaired vision due to the same degenerative condition that caused their father's blindness. (Years after their birth, Vic Llanes learned the eye disorder was genetically transmitted.) His mother, Isabel, also is legally blind.

Rounding out the family is Romney, Vic Llanes’ German shepherd guide dog, who has been by his master’s side for the past nine years.

With the help of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” design team and scores of volunteers, the Llaneses now have a brand-new home designed to accommodate the family’s unique circumstances.

And, thanks to Harleysville Insurance, the Llaneses became the fourth family to receive a year of free homeowners coverage for their new residence.

‘An absolutely loving and caring family’

On Sept. 21, 2006, Dave Hofmann, Harleysville assistant vice president of personal lines marketing, and Rob Sileno, executive vice president of the Wharton Lyon & Lyon agency in Livingston, N.J., traveled to the Llanes’ home. The visitors arrived with a certificate for one year of free homeowners insurance, along with Harleysville jackets for the adults, tee shirts for the children, and other gifts.

“What an absolutely loving and caring family this is,” observes Hofmann. “Given all the adversity they’ve had to deal with, it’s just remarkable how very, very positive they are in their outlook.”

Sileno was equally impressed by the Llanes family. “They were very outgoing, friendly and grateful for all the gifts they’ve received. And, the family was genuinely appreciative of Harleysville’s role in providing insurance for them,” he says. “I was proud to represent Harleysville and our agency in doing something good for this deserving family.”

Faith spurs hope

In 1997, Vic and Maria Llanes immigrated to the United States in search of medical help and a better education for their children. Although the medical challenges for family members continue to grow, the devoted husband and father remains steadfast in his mission.

“Our faith and belief in God has kept us going—despite all the tremendous odds,” he notes. “Our problems are still there, but we still have the love of our friends, our church family and our neighbors.”

Hofmann says meeting the Llaneses has left a lasting impression: “I’ll always remember how completely appreciative this family was for all of the support they’ve received—including their Harleysville insurance policy.”