Since its inception in 1991, Paint Your Heart Out (PYHO) has been an incredible success and has exemplified Rotary International’s motto of “Service Above Self.”  This event has attracted thousands of volunteers and has aided almost 500 homeowners in the City of Chesapeake.  Recipients, who are often unable to maintain their own homes, are ecstatic with the outcome; and volunteers benefit knowing that they’ve made a difference in someone’s life.

In our 24th year of Paint Your Heart Out, our club brought together over 450 volunteers who would work across the city on the homes of our deserving homeowners.  PYHO is Chaired by Michael Love and begins in December with the Home Selection committee.

Our Home Selection committee visits homes on a carefully crafted list of qualifying homeowners, and selects those in need of repair and painting.  Upon approval of the home owner, a Rotarian Coordinator is assigned, and matched with a Paint Team staffed by a local organization partner, ie. a church, business, civic group.

 

The Rotarian Coordinator and Paint Team Captain begin the planning process in March, and it culminates on the third Saturday in April with Paint Day when all 15 teams volunteers meet at Chesapeake City Park at 7 am for breakfast (provided by McDonalds), before heading out to their respective houses across the city.

 

The teams take on every manner of project from painting and gardening to minor repairs.  We even have some teams that undertake large scale projects every year replacing doors, windows, roofs, and siding.

 

We provide a program T-Shirt, breakfast, lunch, and a catered after-party.  We utilize Facebook for marketing the success of the project, and host the teams for a thank you luncheon in May to review “Before and After” pictures.  This year, articles in the Virginian Pilot, news coverage from WCTV, and radio ads highlighted the program.

 

Some of the event sponsors have included: The Courthouse Café, Panera Bread, McDonald’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Home Depot, Lowes, and various other businesses in the community.

 

Please contact us for SPONSORSHIP and DONATION opportunities!

 

The Chesapeake Rotary Club, over 100 members strong, is an organization of Chesapeake business and professional leaders dedicated to providing services to the community in keeping with the Rotary motto, “Service above Self.”