Schierling family volunteers for Paint-A-Thon in honor of Brothers Redevelopment founder

Throughout his life, Brothers Redevelopment Founder Don Schierling spent many summers driving around the metro area ensuring that Paint-A-Thon projects were going smoothly.

So, it was only right that a day ahead of his memorial service — an event that was delayed five months after his death because of the pandemic — that his family and friends volunteered for their own Paint-A-Thon project.

Dressed in purple Paint-A-Thon shirts to honor Alzheimer’s victims like Schierling and his wife Elvira, Schierling’s loved ones gathered for a day of service to paint the exterior of Dorothy Jokumnsen’s Westminster home and to do yard work in July. The project was one of 84 houses the Paint-A-Thon Program has painted as of Sept. 16.

“Don and Elvira’s legacy of service was alive and well during our Paint-A-Thon project. You could feel them smiling from above as we worked together painting and sprucing up the yard,” said Evon Holiday, a family friend of the Schierling’s. “It was such a fitting way to celebrate their lives and Don’s dedication to Brothers Redevelopment.”

Schierling passed away in February at the age of 86, 50 years after him, Richard Magnus, Joe Giron and Manny Martinez established Brothers Redevelopment. He spent more than 40 years serving as a board member for the organization and was recognized for model Christian stewardship through the 2020 National Journey Award presented by faith based financial services organization Everence.

Outside of his work serving the region’s low-income residents and seniors through Brothers, Schierling taught at Regis University Business School, built houses in areas of Germany that were impacted by World War II and held a role with International Development Enterprises — a nonprofit that encourages self-sufficiency in Africa, Asia and Central America.

The Schierling family also donated a wheelchair lift to Brothers earlier this summer that was used by Schierling and Elvira. The item will be donated to a client in need and installed for them at no charge by Brothers’ Home Modification and Repair Program.

“It felt good, and it felt right to do the Paint-A-Thon in memory of mom and dad,” said Sonja Schierling, the daughter of Schierling and Elvira. “Giving back to others is who they were and what they taught all of those who knew them. It was a perfect way to honor them, especially the weekend of their celebration of life.”