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Homeowners received more than fresh paint Saturday

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Posted at 2:26 PM, Jun 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-08 14:26:07-04

CINCINNATI — On Saturday, the 18th annual Paint the Town event brought smiles, along with fresh coats of paint, to the lives of some homeowners in Evanston and Avondale.

"When she called and told me we were selected, I screamed and I hollered," homeowner Cynthia Bates said. "I was so happy.”

Paint the Town is a program put on by the nonprofit Give Back Cincinnati, and the program helps people who may not be able to physically or financially paint their homes.

Fannie Beson, 97, said that since her sister died, her son Lenny has helped take care of her in the house she grew up in. "It’s third generation," Beson said.

But even with her son's help, things were difficult. So after her home was picked for the program, she said, "I’m so proud, I don’t know what to do.”

Since the program started, Paint the Town has painted more than 550 homes with the help of over 1,200 volunteers.

Michael Loch, president of Give Back Cincinnati, said the stories from each homeowner are what keep him and other volunteers coming back each year.

"It’s a testament to the human spirit."