Everyone wants to maintain a beautiful yard, but for those who are disabled or elderly, that can be a challenge. Project Paintbrush is looking to help.
Armed with sandpaper, paintbrushes, and good hearts, volunteers work to spruce up properties with good old fashioned paint jobs. Scott Weber is the Rural Development Coordinator at Project Paintbrush. “The objective of Project Paintbrush is to paint fences, single story homes and garages for seniors and people who are physically and/or financially unable to do the work themselves at little to no cost to them. The fence painting rejuvenates the property so it really gives the homeowner more enjoyment out in their yard. Sometimes a coat of paint is all a fence needs to last another couple years, and it increases the property value of the neighbourhood.”
The organization has been around for a number of years now, but it still surprised people that such a unique initiative exists. However, once the job is done, those who have had their property rejuvenated quickly appreciate the difference it makes. Kelsey Ronne is a Project Paintbrush Assistant and recalls one satisfied homeowner. “Even after we finished her garage, which was about 60 years old when we painted it, she was calling me for the next week after saying, ‘I just wanted to let you know that all the neighbours came by and they really liked it’, and she’ll call and thank us which is so nice. It just makes it feel really worth it to get that appreciation and know that we’re doing something to make them feel better. So it’s awesome.”
The volunteers have no shortage of potential projects in the city, but are now looking to expand outwards to the outlying rural communities. “We’re trying to do twenty projects in Lethbridge, that’s our goal. With another six in the surrounding area. Taber, Coaldale, Coalhurst. Just anywhere in the immediate vicinity of Lethbridge.”
The Project Paintbrush team spent Tuesday morning painting the fence of the Potvin family, who’s owner is legally blind and can’t do it herself. “It’s incredible, absolutely incredible,” said the homeowner’s son, Ross Potvin. “We’re so pleased that so many volunteers have come out here and taken the initiative to take care of my mom for us and the family is very grateful and very thankful.”
With more projects scheduled for the summer, Project Paintbrush is continuing to rejuvenate the community, one fence at a time. If you would like to be a part of the team, visit volunteerlethbridge.com, or e-mail projectpaintbrush@volunteerlethbridge.com and ask to be on the e-mail list.
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