UCR Flying Samaritans partnered with Habitat Riverside for the first time this past weekend. The UCR service group helps bring health care to the poorest areas of Mexico when they are not helping to paint Doris and Gerry’s home. Both retired seniors living in Il Sorrento Mobile Home Park in Moreno Valley. The senior couple has lived in the community for about 10 years. Both seniors are dealing with medical issues that come with age and cost more than anticipated while living on fixed incomes. These issues make it difficult to maintain their home when they are trying to take care of themselves.
Their home was painted a mustard yellow color when they purchased it. Doris has another name for the color that has to do with birds and babies. Now the walls are stained and the high trim’s white paint is gone from winds and weathering. The park manager requested that the home be painted to bring it up to park standards.
The Flying Samaritans showed up on Saturday eager to help the couple. Before the paint day started both Doris and Gerry came out to thank everyone for being so kind to help them. With everyone signed in, a safety orientation and a morning devotion was given to start the day off right.
Painting is not always second nature for students so a quick Painting 101 session was given to keep all the volunteers on track. Then they all went to their assigned areas. There were more than enough volunteers that we were able to paint the walls and the trim at the same time. Casey, Sheena, Erik and Gabby, our soon to be Habitat homeowners helped out too while taking care of more sweat equity hours. They have assisted before so they knew the plan and got right on it.
The UCR student volunteers were fun to be around listening to their different stories and watching them work together as a team. There was obviously a great connection between all the students, probably due to the fact that they were used to working together in Mexico when helping the families there!
Just a little after noon, the home was completed. Doris and Gerry loved it. No more mustard yellow. Now the home’s front brickwork matched the soft beige walls and light brown trim.
Doris and Gerry gladly took a photo with the group. Gerry gave a heartfelt thank you telling all the students to continue their work of giving back through their club and their lives. He said, “You all have changed our lives today in a big way”.
The paint day was a true success because of the UCR Flying Samaritans and Habitat families working together in a team like fashion.
Thank you! You all rocked!
