Earlier this year, professional painter Gerard Donaghy of Northern Ireland posted a message on Facebook looking for buildings that served the community well but needed a little TLC.
Donaghy and his wife Danielle run Paintworks NI. What started as a place to train rising painters and connect them with interior designers has grown into much more. Now, in addition to running their commercial painting business, they’re giving back by organizing “Paint It Forward” events to help worthy community organizations better their space – for free.
So who did they choose? Helping Hands Autism Research Center, located east of Belfast. As a parent of a disabled child, the support they provide to autistic children and their families resonated deeply with Donaghy.
After local sponsors donated equipment and supplies, Donaghy sent out another social media plea: who was willing to help do the work? People are busy. Who knew if anyone would respond.
Not to worry.
On June 28th, an impressive fifty painters showed up to do the renovation. They gave the exterior a fresh white coat of paint and then brightened up the whole space with a rainbow of colors both inside and out. Incredible.
That so many painters came to help with the project “meant the world” to the Helping Hands team, but the volunteers felt the love, too.
“It’s about letting them see that we see them,” said Donaghy. “Whenever everybody comes together, that’s when the change happens.”
With a list of painters already eager to help on the next project, Donaghy dreams of igniting a trend.
“We all have skills,” he says. “If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?”
Most people consider themselves generous, but life often gets in the way of making time to help those beyond our inner circle. When a convenient (enough) opportunity presents itself, though, most people jump at the chance to pitch in. It feels good.
Old school methods like passing the hat, donating clothes or food to a local family in need, or watching a friend’s kids when they’re in a bind, still work. It’s reciprocal – if I lend you a hand this week, maybe you’ll return the favor when I need something next month. Neighbors who help each other out – even in small ways – feel seen and connected.
But technology and social media have taken supporting others to a whole new level.
Since 2010, GoFundMe has raised more than $30 billion from over 150 million donors. That’s a staggering amount of money from donors all over the world, giving hard earned cash to people they don’t even know! Give us a compelling story about what you’re going through and a convenient way to help, and we’re wired to give what we can.
Whether you’re able to donate money or time, or you can only afford to share an ounce of compassion, the person on the receiving end gets so much more. And so do you. Connection – even with strangers – gives our lives meaning in a way that flying solo just can’t.
Marco Santos, one of the painters who helped with the Helping Hands project, was proud to participate. And frankly, a little surprised that so many volunteers came out to help.
“It shows what we can do when we get together,” he said. “We can all give back to the community.”
“You don’t have to look far to find bad news these days — it can weigh you down,” Donaghy observed. But seeing his group help others in need “reminds you that there’s still plenty of good out there.”
Sometimes you just have to seek it out.
(Photo credit Paintworks NI)
