Paint-A-Thon client brought to tears after seeing freshly painted home

Barbara Rodriguez knew she couldn’t afford to pay for her Denver house to be updated with a new paint job.

The 93-year-old’s income comes from Social Security. She also suffers from severe osteoporosis — a disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle — and has spinal problems that makes it difficult for her to stand straight.

Rodriguez has struggled to maintain her home since her husband passed away, she said. Her house hadn’t been painted in 10 years, and the paint was discolored and chipping.

But after getting in touch with Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon Program, Rodriguez finally received the home improvements she had long dreamed for. In June, volunteers transformed her home by spending hot summer days painting and updating the house with fresh blue paint.

“I walked out, looked back and just wept because it was so beautiful,” Rodriguez said about the first time she saw her newly painted house. “I had no idea it would be so beautiful. It’s quite a difference. I just loved it.”

Earlier this summer, volunteers from our Paint-A-Thon Program painted the exterior of 93-year-old Barbara Rodriguez’s house.

Volunteers caught her reaction when she first saw the updated home improvements. These reactions are priceless and warm our hearts.

Check it out! pic.twitter.com/uHgH9jON5B

— Brothers Redevelopment (@Bros_Redevelop) August 6, 2021

The Paint-A-Thon Program has assisted thousands of clients like Rodriguez over its 43-year history. The program operates throughout the metro area/Colorado Springs and involves volunteers painting the exterior of low-income or disabled seniors’ homes for free.

Rodriguez said the volunteers who painted her house were enthusiastic and cheerful. And because of those reasons, it made her Paint-A-Thon experience that much more meaningful to her.

“You can’t say enough about how grateful I am and how blessed I felt. There aren’t enough words,” Rodriguez said. “These (volunteers) just kept right at it and worked tirelessly.”

Qualifying residents can apply for the program by calling 720-339-5864 or by emailing chad@brothersredevelopment.org. Paint-A-Thon clients must be 60 years or older and/or have a disability, must own and reside in the Denver metro area and plan to live in their home for at least 12 months.