In a heartwarming display of community support, local painting groups, along with a dedicated painter from Canada, teamed up to transform 25 guest rooms at the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio on December 5 and 6. Their efforts created a fresh, calming environment for families staying at the House during their children’s hospital treatments.
Tiffany Freer, the owner of Swatch Pro Painters in Ontario, drove seven hours through snowstorms to participate in the event, motivated by a deeply personal connection to RMHC.
Freer had stayed at the Hamilton Ronald McDonald House in Canada during a difficult pregnancy and her son’s four-month stay in the NICU. “RMHC enveloped our family. They were like a family,” Freer recalled. “It’s hard to put into words the full impact.”
When she learned about the “Paint it Forward Day,” Freer knew she had to be a part of it.
Despite the distance, she was determined to give back. “I can’t explain to you the impact RMHC had, but if I can come back and give back, I’m absolutely coming,” she said.
The event was organized by PPG Paints, a long-time supporter of RMHC of Central Ohio, who introduced the charity to Michal Cheney, owner of No Drip Painting in Columbus.
Cheney, a leader in the painting industry, was eager to contribute and bring her team to the project. Along with Freer and No Drip Painting, other local businesses like Sunlight Housepainting, Pritt’s Painting Company, and Renew Paint & Power Wash joined the effort. In total, 37 painters from 12 different companies volunteered their time and skills to refresh the rooms.
The project was made possible thanks to generous donations from PPG Paints, who supplied their anti-viral and anti-bacterial “Copper Armor” paint, and The Wooster Brush Company, who provided high-quality painting tools. The volunteers spent two days completing the transformation, which included refreshing rooms in the original building of the Ronald McDonald House, following the 2023 expansion that added 84 new guest rooms.
The donation of labor and materials for the two-day “Paint it Forward Day” is valued at nearly six figures.
The refreshed rooms are expected to provide years of comfort and respite to the thousands of families served by RMHC of Central Ohio, giving them one less thing to worry about during challenging times.
For Freer and the volunteers, the project was about more than just painting—it was a way to show gratitude to an organization that helped them through one of their most difficult times. As Cheney looks forward to more opportunities to refresh the remaining rooms, the ongoing commitment to RMHC ensures that this home-away-from-home will continue to provide support for families in need.
The Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio, located across from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, is the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world.
Open year-round, the House provides a supportive, home-like environment for families with seriously ill children. The House features comfortable rooms, fully equipped kitchens, play areas, and more. RMHC of Central Ohio also operates two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at local hospitals, providing care and comfort to families facing medical challenges. Learn more at RMHC-CentralOhio.org.
