COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Jen Riggsby has been getting up early on a Saturday morning to paint houses for nine years.
She doesn't get paid, but she says the rewards are "truly amazing." Riggsby volunteers with Give Back Cincinnati's Paint the Town. During the annual service project, hundreds of people paint homes for people who are physically or financially unable to do the work themselves.
About 550 volunteers will tackle 25 homes in Colerain Township for Saturday's event, the 16th Paint the Town Give Back Cincinnati has organized.
Each house is sponsored by a local company that not only provides a monetary donation but also staffs each house with volunteers. Sponsors include Kroger, GE, Fifth Third Bank and P&G, among many others.
"The absolute best thing is the people's faces, the homeowner's faces after we paint their house -- it's truly amazing," Riggsby said. "When they cone out, we have hugs, smiles tears. it's such a rewarding experience."
At the end of Saturday's Paint the Town, the all-volunteer effort will have painted 543 houses around Greater Cincinnati.
Visit givebackcincinnati.org to learn about other volunteer opportunities.
