Volunteer Highlight: Rick Tenorio

Rick Tenorio embodies the spirit of community service through his dedicated volunteer work with Brothers Redevelopment’s Paint-A-Thon.

His journey began with a serendipitous encounter, spurred by a social media post from his college acquaintance, Brothers President Jeff Martinez. Since then, Tenorio has become an integral part of the Paint-A-Thon, contributing his time and effort to multiple projects.

Over the years, Tenorio has participated in seven Paint-A-Thons, with his most recent involvement being alongside his employer, Canvas Credit Union. Reflecting on his experiences, Tenorio recounted a moment with a homeowner during the last Paint-A-Thon project he participated in.

“The homeowner was homebound, and she lived in a trailer. We repainted her whole house, and at the end of it, she was just so appreciative,” said Tenorio. “You could see that it gave her pride to be able to show off her newly painted residence.”

Volunteering for the Paint-A-Thon fills Tenorio with a sense of gratitude and accomplishment. He acknowledges the privilege of being able to help those in need and takes pride in the tangible difference Canvas Credit Union makes together as a team. For Tenorio, the most rewarding aspect is not just the completion of the project but also the opportunity to connect with people and witness their happiness firsthand.

“The older people, especially the homebound, tend to have houses fall into disarray. The idea of just helping them fix that up, knowing that they can’t do it themselves — the whole community feels that. They can see that there isn’t just one house that stands out needing repairs,” said Tenorio.

For those considering volunteering with Brothers, Tenorio offers reassurance and encouragement. He emphasizes that while the work may be physical, it is immensely fulfilling. Each project is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life and to experience the joy of giving back to the community.

As we celebrate one million Paint-A-Thon volunteer hours this year, we will continue to spotlight volunteers like Tenorio, whose contributions make our work possible. Keep an eye out for upcoming volunteer highlights.