Paint it Forward Charity Giveaway

Deana Walker

This past May Deana lost her husband, her love, of over 30 years to cancer. It was very sudden, he was gone only 3 weeks after his diagnosis, leaving no time for Deana to prepare for the hole he was about to leave in her life. She is left to run their boarding facility, Distant Dreams Ranch, on her own as well as manage the debt that was left in wake of her husband’s tragic death. Deana and her husband never turned their back on any boarders who were having financial difficulties; they cared for every horse as if they were their own. When there are fires in the area Deana opens her facility to horses that have been evacuated and has never charged for their care while they are with her. She and her husband have opened their home to countless abandoned horses, cats, dogs and birds over the years. Distant Dreams Ranch was a dream Deana shared with her husband and 25 years of running the ranch and her recent loss of Bob have taken their toll both on Deana and the facility. The facility is in need of fresh paint but Deana just doesn’t have the money of man-power to get it done. Not only would fresh paint on her facility lift her spirits and honor her husband’s memory, but it could also help attract new boarders perhaps aiding Deana in this new phase of her life.

Nominated by her friend Chris Meyers

Kate Boron

Kate became a widow unexpectedly at the age of 44 when her husband, Joe Boron, died suddenly of an undetected heart ailment called Wolff Parkinson White in 2009.  He was 42 years old.  They have 2 daughters, now 10 and 13.   Unfortunately Joe died prior to setting up a life insurance policy to protect his family and Kate works hard to make ends meet while staying fully committed to her various volunteer duties.  Kate has been vice president of the PTA for the last 2 years, is the leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and has also returned back to school to obtain her Master’s degree and teaching credential in order to better provide for her daughters.  Kate and Joe purchased their home in 1995 and it has never been painted during all of this time and now desperately needs it.  Kate has received several letters from the HOA to get the painting but Kate just doesn’t have the money for this work.  New paint on her house would help to unload Kate’s financial burden as well as brighten her home.

Nominated by her sister, Colleen Nolan

Ken Scherer and Family

Ken is an Iraqi war veteran who returned home with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.  He recently got involved in a Habitat for Humanity Project called Homes for Heroes where he volunteered his time to install solar panels on a disabled veteran’s home.  While working on his home Ken connected with this veteran and starting calling him regularly to help him.  The CEO from the Habitat for Humanity Project heard what Ken was doing and offered to help him as well.  Ken, his wife, who suffers from psoriatic arthritis and is unable to work, and their two small children were moved from the tiny 1950’s trailer they had been living in into a Habitat community in Pacoima.  They were able to move in before Christmas this year, but the home still needs interior painting.  Ken’s heart for helping others despite his own struggles is an inspiration to those that he works with, his friends and family.  New paint on the interior of their new Habitat for Humanity home would be  a blessing to Ken and his family.

Nominated by his friend Mark Figearo

Santa Clarita Food Pantry

The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry's mission is to alleviate hunger throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.  The SCV Food Pantry was established in 1986 and moved to their current location on Railroad Avenue in Newhall in 1992.  They are a volunteer-based 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization with more than 90 regular volunteers.  Clients are referred to the SCV Food Pantry from schools, churches, local social services and word of mouth, and all services are provided free of charge.  Thanks to amazing community support, the Pantry has endured the hard times of the past few years and continues to reach out and help families in need.  A fresh coat of paint could help brighten the day for the volunteers and the clients that pass through the Food Pantry doors on a daily basis.