News Release
WARSAW — At Matthews’ Painting Company, we believe that giving back to our community is just as important as the work we do every day. That’s why we created Paint It Forward, a community outreach initiative that allows us to use our skills to help deserving nonprofit organizations and families in need.
This program is not just about paint—it is about making a difference in the lives of those who could use a helping hand. Whether it is a family struggling to maintain their home due to financial or health hardships or a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving others, Paint It Forward is our way of saying “thank you” to the community that has supported us for over 25 years.
What Is Paint It Forward?
Paint It Forward is a program that allows community members to nominate a family or nonprofit organization that could benefit from free professional painting services. Once nominations are submitted, our team carefully reviews each one and selects a recipient who we believe would benefit most from our help. We then set aside a special day for our team to come together and complete the project, giving the winner a refreshed space and, more importantly, a renewed sense of hope.
How It Works:
- Community members submit nominations via our website, explaining why a particular family or nonprofit deserves a Paint It Forward project.
- Our team reviews the nominations and selects a recipient.
- We schedule a painting day where our team works together to transform the winner’s home or facility.
- The result: A fresh, renewed space that makes a difference in someone’s life.
Nominations for the 2025 Paint It Forward project are now open! If you know a family or nonprofit that could benefit, submit your nomination by November 30, 2025. The winner will be announced in early December, 2025. Nominate Here
This year’s winner: Janet Arnett
Each year, we are inspired by the stories of resilience and strength that come through our Paint It Forward nominations. Our 2024 winner, Janet Arnett, was no exception.
Janet was nominated by her sister, Judy Clayton, who shared Janet’s journey and the challenges she has faced since the passing of her husband five years ago. Losing a loved one is never easy, and for Janet, it meant taking on all the responsibilities of homeownership alone. Despite financial constraints, she worked hard to replace her home’s roof, heating system, and well—critical repairs that took a toll on her budget. However, the ceiling damage caused by past leaks remained untouched. High ceilings, water stains, and damaged drywall created a difficult situation that Janet, a Type 1 diabetic in her 60s, was physically unable to fix on her own.
In addition to her personal struggles, Janet has spent over 40 years as a radiology technician specializing in Mammography and Ultrasound. Her career has been dedicated to helping women navigate some of the toughest moments of their lives, providing not only medical expertise but also compassion and support. However, as health challenges required her to transition to part-time work, home maintenance became increasingly difficult.
When we read Janet’s story, we knew she was the perfect recipient for our 2024 Paint It Forward project. Her commitment to serving others, despite her own struggles, truly moved us, and we were honored to be able to give back in a meaningful way.
Giving Janet’s Home a Fresh Start
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the Matthews’ Painting Company team came together to make a difference in Janet’s life. Owner Jason Matthews, alongside Crew Leaders Derrick Matthews, Jamey Shirk, Amanda Richards, and Painter Jada Arnett (no relation to our Paint It Forward recipient Janet Arnett), spent the day working at Janet’s home, bringing new life to her space. Prior to that day, Painter Roger Levitz, Jr. performed necessary repairs on the damaged ceilings, and Crew Leader Jamey Shirk completed ceiling texturing to ensure a smooth, polished finish.
Our team tackled multiple areas of Janet’s home, including:
- Replacing damaged drywall to restore her ceilings to their original condition.
- Repairing and re-texturing ceilings to eliminate the effects of past leaks.
- Stain blocking and priming water stains to prevent further damage.
- Painting the walls and ceilings in the laundry room and ceilings in great room, providing Janet with a fresh and clean space.
By the end of the day, Janet’s home had undergone a significant transformation, and the impact was clear. More than just new paint, the project gave Janet peace of mind, knowing that her home was taken care of.
Why Paint It Forward Matters
For our team, Paint It Forward is more than just another painting project—it’s an opportunity to come together and truly make a difference in someone’s life. Seeing Janet’s reaction at the end of the day was a reminder of why we started this program in the first place.
“Paint It Forward is an opportunity for our team to be a blessing to someone in the community,” said owner Jason Matthews. “We look forward to the chance to give back together in this way. Meeting the winner, spending time with them, and improving their home or business in a meaningful way is something we truly cherish.”
Paint It Forward allows us to step outside of our usual work and focus on the heart of what we do—serving others. Whether it is a fresh coat of paint to brighten someone’s space or critical repairs to make their home safe, we believe that small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
Join Us in Painting It Forward
The success of Paint It Forward depends on the support and involvement of our community. We need your help to find the next deserving recipient. If you know a family struggling with home maintenance or a nonprofit that could use our help, we encourage you to submit a nomination.
How to Nominate:
- Fill out the nomination form.
- Share a brief description of why you believe this family or nonprofit should receive our help.
- Submit your nomination before the deadline on November 30, 2025.
- Stay tuned as we announce the winner in early December!
Together, we can continue to paint a brighter future—one home at a time.
Final Thoughts
At Matthews’ Painting Company, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve our community through Paint It Forward. Janet’s story is just one example of how a simple act of kindness can make a lasting impact. As we look ahead to our next Paint It Forward project, we are excited to continue this tradition of giving and to meet the next incredible recipient who will inspire us all.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this program—whether through nominations, encouragement, or simply spreading the word. Your involvement helps us extend our reach and bring hope to those who need it most.
We can’t wait to see what 2025 brings and to share another incredible Paint It Forward story. Until then, let’s keep making a difference, one brushstroke at a time!
