About 100 volunteers came together in Tildenville to paint 14 homes, giving residents a fresh coat of paint and helping families preserve homes filled with generations of memories.
The project, led by Orange County Government in partnership with Rebuilding Together, provided free exterior painting for homeowners who needed help maintaining their properties.
For Jerry and Terry Irby, whose family has lived in Tildenville for decades, the project was about more than improving the appearance of their home. It was about preserving their mother’s legacy.
The brothers have lived in their home for 44 years. Their mother passed the house down to them, giving them a place to live and a lasting connection to their family.
“She took care of me and my brother,” the brothers said, reflecting on their mother’s role in helping them keep the home.
They said their mother made sure they always had somewhere to stay, and walking away from the house was never an option.
But maintaining the property and making needed repairs became difficult without additional resources.
Orange County and Rebuilding Together stepped in to help the brothers and other homeowners in the community.
“This is part of our FUN program — fixing up the neighborhood,” said Brandy Driggers of Orange County Government. “We are painting 14 homes for homeowners within the community, and that’s free of charge through county taxpayer funds.”
For the Irby brothers, seeing the work finally begin was an emotional moment.
“It’s been a long day coming,” they said. “I woke up early this morning and thought, today is the day!”
Sebrenia Moss Brown was among the homeowners who benefited from the project. She said the assistance gave her an opportunity to improve her home despite not having the money to cover the work herself.
“It was a hand up and it wasn’t a handout,” Brown said. “They helped me help myself because the funds I did not have myself. And it was a blessing that I appreciate.”
As volunteers rolled fresh paint onto the homes, residents watched their properties take on a renewed appearance.
For Brown, the project represented more than a home improvement effort. It was an expression of care and support from the community.
“I am blessed for the opportunity for these people to come and show me what love is — love,” she said.
The work in Tildenville is not finished. Rebuilding Together plans to return to complete additional repairs on homes that need more extensive assistance.
For the families who received help, the fresh paint is a reminder that preserving a home can also mean preserving the memories, dignity and family history attached to it.