Volunteers Paint Homes for the Elderly Community

By Tori La Rue | [email protected]

Taylorsville, Utah - Robin Walker said she got goosebumps as she watched volunteers from Zions Bank paint the exterior of her 74-year-old sister’s home on June 22.

“It’s so reassuring to know there are still people out in the world that do such nice things,” Walker said. “It looks like a new house. People have made comments about how it looks.”

Walker’s sister, Ann Austin, has lived in her home at the Majestic Meadows Mobile Home Community for 10 years. Austin and Walker knew the house needed painting, but finding the energy or money to paint the home on their own would be almost impossible, Walker said.

“All I can say is just how thankful we are,” Walker said.

Austin’s home was painted as part of Zions Bank’s annual Paint-A-Thon, which intends to help low-income elderly, disabled and veteran residents beautify their homes. This year the 2,800 bank volunteers repainted 44 houses throughout Utah and Idaho -- five of which were in Taylorsville. The average age each homeowner was 77, and their average monthly income was $1,803.

“This project is something we look forward to every year to see what choices they will make and if they will choose to paint houses in our community,” said Taylorsville City Coucilmember Kristie Overson, who joined Zions Bank in the service project. “We have a lot of seniors on fixed income who don’t have extra to repair their homes. This is a benefit to the community.”

Elmerine Mickelsen, a Majestic Meadows homeowner said she was so excited to be selected as a recipient of this service. Each homeowner was selected through public nominations, state housing agencies, community organizations and local churches. Majestic Meadows housing suggested Mickelsen apply for the project.

A representative from Sherwin-Williams came to Mickelsen’s house before painting day and let her pick the colors she wanted for her house. She said making the choice for the paint made her feel involved in the project. The volunteers spent three days in the sunlight painting Mickelsen’s home from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“They were out in the hot sun all day. I did what I could and sent a nice Thank You card to the bank,” Mickelsen said. “I think it is really, really great they do this for people who are older. I am older, so my health is older and I needed this paint job.”

Oversen said the volunteers were happy to help Austin, Mickelsen and the other homeowners.

“Well, for the people volunteering, it was just party,” Overson said. “It was not a chore for them. I could tell it was a party and a pleasure.”