Around three years ago, Anita Marui lost her mother and was left without any family in Colorado. That’s when PCL Construction Superintendent Josh Cervantes stepped in.
Cervantes and Marui were introduced to each other when he volunteered to paint her house in 2019 through Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon Program. And since then, the two have always stayed in touch.
Cervantes regularly texts Marui, has went to church with her, and even made sure that she had Thanksgiving dinner. And although she’s never asked him for help, Cervantes went out of his way to grocery shop for her during the pandemic.
“It’s not just about doing a good deed. It’s about building friendships,” said Cervantes. “Friends are family, and if they need something, we’re there to help out.”
Cervantes has volunteered for the Paint-A-Thon every year since 2016 and has organized some of the most complex Paint-A-Thon projects. He walks into every Paint-A-Thon project with the goal of taking an old home and turning it into an “MTV Cribs pad” while showing care and encouragement for each Paint-A-Thon client.
Earlier in August, as he was volunteering for the Paint-A-Thon with other PCL Construction employees at a Littleton home, Cervantes was awarded the Roland Buteyn Heart of Service Award from Brothers— the highest honor a Paint-A-Thon volunteer can receive. The award is named after Roland Buteyn who helped to develop many core Brothers’ programs like the Paint-A-Thon and Home Modification and Repair departments.
Brothers Volunteer Department Director Chad Nibbelink said that although this is the fifth year Roland is not with us to help present his award, his legacy will live on through the lives he touched, the programs he helped create and people like Cervantes who generously serve through Brothers.
“(Cervantes) and his wife Arica are some of the best Paint-A-Thon advocates. They display genuine care and service for our older adult neighbors and authentically engage their volunteer teams — making for the most fun and rewarding experience for everyone,” said Nibbelink. “Josh is totally deserving of this award, and we are honored to make him the 2022 Roland Buteyn Heart of Service Award recipient.”
Cervantes said the Paint-A-Thon is the perfect opportunity for PCL Construction to come together as a team to help people in need. He added that him and PCL Construction volunteers always try to go above and beyond and do more than what’s expected for each Paint-A-Thon project.
PCL Construction has volunteered for the Paint-A-Thon since 1985. The company is also sponsoring this year’s Local Social — Brothers’ annual fundraiser that supports the Paint-A-Thon.
“I have a huge heart, and receiving the award hit me emotionally. But to me, it’s not about the award, it’s more about setting an example,” said Cervantes. “The award is an award, but it’s about people seeing the little things you do make a difference. And hopefully that can carry on from one person to another.”
That’s my Son! Thanks for show casing his non profit heart and soul. So proud!