A tale of unspeakable anguish and symbolic rebirth unfolded for two hours on national television Friday night, as the ABC show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” focused on the Walker family of Springfield, Mass.

In April 2009, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, 11 years old and despondent over bullying, took his own life. His suicide captured national attention and turned Sirdeaner Walker, his mother, into a spokeswoman for antibullying campaigns.

In September, the “Extreme Makeover” crew visited Springfield’s Northampton Avenue to give the family a new home and a new beginning. Hundreds of volunteers and well-wishers turned out. A special guest was there, too.

Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics made a surprise appearance, lighting up the face of 8-year-old Charles Walker, Carl’s brother and a dedicated Celtics fan. Charles smiled, bounced, then ran to him, disappearing into Allen’s blue sweatsuit as they hugged — “like I was his long-lost cousin or brother,” Allen said Friday.