Saturday was a joint effort from five volunteer groups to paint two homes at Rancho Caballero Mobile Home Park.  On Bob and Patricia’s home, we had volunteers from UCR’s Engineering without Borders (EWB), UCR’s Central American Student Alliance (C.A.S.A), veteran volunteers from New Beginnings Church, and last but not least our amazing Partner families!

Bob and Patricia have been living in their home for 15 years. Bob is retired and both are living off their social security while raising their grandson. With their limited income, it was a challenge for them to find the time and money to paint their home.

On Max and Erica’s home, we were fortunate to have United Technologies Corporation (UTC) Aerospace join us. UTC Aerospace volunteers with us every year, so it was great to have them back with paint brushes in hand to help brighten up their house.

Max, Erica and their two toddlers have been living in their home for a couple of years and love the neighborhood at Rancho Caballero. They were grateful to qualify for A Brush with Kindness Program for assistance with minor exterior repairs and exterior paint. Max was working that morning so Erica gladly helped with painting her home, even the two kiddies picked up a paint brush and did some detail work!

Not only did the UTC members paint the entire exterior of the home, but they also repaired some of the broken and missing siding and trim pieces along the front and side of the home. Now, the house looks great and Erica and her family couldn’t be happier.

For those not familiar with UTC, they are a local aerospace manufacturing company, whose main products include aero structures (like engine components).  UTC’s Aerospace division was originally founded as Rohr Industries in 1969 and later became Goodrich Corporation from 1997-2012, until being acquired by UTC.  Some of the volunteers (some were retired) had been with the company for over 20 years and had experienced all these changes.  We always enjoy when UTC Aerospace comes to paint with us, helping improve and bring together the communities they work in.

The volunteers from UCR and the New Beginnings church were also well on their way to finishing up Bob and Patricia’s home. The New Beginnings church members have been painting with us for many years now and started when our Executive Director, Kathy, was still in charge of A Brush with Kindness days! Bruce, the coordinator for the volunteer days at New Beginnings, mentioned they love volunteering with Habitat and try to volunteer at least 3-4 times a year. Their love for painting definitely showed.

We finished Bob and Patricia’s home early and had enough paint left over to paint the shed Bob built a while back. It was quite a sight to see 5-6 volunteers lined up all painting one wall of the home.

Thank you so much, UTC Aerospace, New Beginnings Church, Engineering without Borders, C.A.S.A and partner families for coming together to help two families in need.