For years, the Hathaway family has called the same Firestone neighborhood home. Today, 62-year-old Theresa Hathaway and her parents, Robert and Marlene Hathaway, continue the family tradition of living close together.
Robert, now 85, built his home in 1982, where he and Marlene raised their children. For years, his brother, nephews, and other family members also lived on the same street. While the neighborhood has changed, the Hathaways remain rooted there, with Theresa next door and two of their grandchildren living just down the street.
While the family has established strong roots in their neighborhood, both Theresa’s and her parents’ homes were in desperate need of painting. However, the $5,000 cost of painting a house proved to be a significant barrier for the Hathaways.
Enter the Friends of Firestone Day of Service — a collaborative effort between Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon and the Town of Firestone, where dozens of volunteers and neighbors came together in September to assist homeowners with minor exterior home repairs, painting, and yard cleanup.
This community initiative provided support to six Firestone homeowners, including Theresa and her parents, whose homes were both painted.
“My home is my happy place,” Theresa said. “I love the way it looks now, especially my mom and dad’s. It was pretty rough, and it really needed to be painted.”
“I know my dad worries about stuff he can’t do anymore, and he’s always painted his house himself. They were really happy with how their house turned out,” she added.
In 2024, Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon Program proudly painted 111 houses, serving 174 low-income individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities. With the help of 2,206 volunteers, the Paint-A-Thon painted houses in 18 cities this year, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Brighton, Thornton, Commerce City, and other communities throughout Colorado.
“The Paint-A-Thon is about more than just a fresh coat of paint — it’s about restoring pride, dignity, and comfort for homeowners,” said Brothers Redevelopment Volunteer Department Manager Jason Stutzman. “Seeing communities come together to support their neighbors is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together.”
Celebrating a milestone year
As Brothers Redevelopment kicked off the 46th year of the Paint-A-Thon in 2024, we celebrated the remarkable milestone of surpassing one million volunteer hours for the program.
In a special April celebration, Brothers Redevelopment staff, supporters, and others gathered at Raices Brewing Company to celebrate and honor six organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the program over the years.
Among those Brothers Redevelopment honored with awards were:
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Chi Phi Chapter
- President and Owner of Shamrock Painting Inc., Gina Koert
- Denver Employee Volunteer Opportunities
- Vice President and Community Development Relationship Manager at Huntington National Bank, Nicole Marquez
- Atlas Real Estate
- Service Learning Camps Area Coordinator, Jen Enquist
These awardees embody the spirit of the Paint-A-Thon and have helped make a tremendous impact.
“This milestone of surpassing one million volunteer hours is a testament to the dedication and compassion of our volunteers, partners, and community,” said Stutzman. “Reaching this point reflects the power of our collective effort and deep commitment to uplifting homeowners across Colorado.”
Meeting the greatest need
The Paint-A-Thon continues to serve those who need it most.
In 2024, 77 of the homeowners assisted through the program fell into the 0-30% Area Median Income bracket, reflecting the program’s deep impact on low-income households. By reaching the most vulnerable members of our communities, Brothers Redevelopment ensures that essential services — like exterior home painting — remain accessible to those who need them most.
This year, the program also saw 16,560 volunteer hours, valued at $569,002, dedicated to helping homeowners across Colorado. By providing free exterior home painting, the Paint-A-Thon delivered a combined cost savings of $648,700 to our clients — savings that would have otherwise gone toward hiring a contractor.
The average Paint-A-Thon project value was $5,741, which represents 21% of a homeowner’s average annual income. For many, these services would have been financially out of reach without the support of the Paint-A-Thon.
Through the dedication of volunteers and our partners, Brothers Redevelopment ensures that homeowners in need can maintain safe, beautiful homes without financial strain.
“This data highlights the profound need for programs like the Paint-A-Thon and the incredible impact we can achieve when communities come together,” said Stutzman. “These numbers aren’t just statistics — they represent families, individuals, and neighbors who can live with renewed comfort and dignity.”
Great job, giving back feels the heart.just to see the smile and the thanks from homeowners is well worth the time.