Clearwater Volunteers Prepare To Give Homes Fresh Coat Of Paint

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Paint Your Heart Out, Clearwater will once again bring together more than 200 volunteers who will enthusiastically donate their time to help out homeowners whose houses could use a little TLC.

On Saturday, March 24, the volunteers will continue the Clearwater tradition that started 26 years ago.

The house painting will begin at 8 a.m. and should be completed by around noon. After the painting is complete, the volunteers and homeowners will celebrate with food, drinks, music and prizes at Downtown Clearwater's Bayfront Tennis Complex, south of Coachman Park.

"It is definitely a rewarding experience," said Tony Magganas, a gas program specialist with Clearwater Gas System.

Seventeen years ago, Magganas was hired with Clearwater Gas System and immediately volunteered with Paint Your Heart Out, Clearwater.

He hasn't stopped volunteering for the annual Clearwater event, helping the elderly, the disabled and the low- to moderate-income homeowners by painting their homes with a team of volunteers.

This year the volunteers will paint 12 homes in one day, including the homes of two homeowners who are blind. Most of the recipients this year are over 80 years old.

"You enjoy giving them something they will cherish," Magganas said. "You walk away knowing that you made a difference in their lives."

Volunteer teams will include Clearwater Fire Rescue, Clearwater Economic Development and Housing Department, Bouchard Insurance and King Engineering, to name a few.

Images via city of Clearwater