Zions Bank Paint a Thon helps Ferron resident

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The Ferron home of Evelyn Huntsman, 77, received a makeover during Zions Bank’s 26th annual Paint-a-Thon service project. Dozens of local bank employees are volunteering to help brighten the neighborhood by providing a fresh coat of paint and sprucing up the landscaping.
Utah’s population is growing older and living longer, according to the state’s Division of Aging and Adult Services. The population of people 65 and over is projected to increase by 145 percent between 2000 and 2030.
Nearly 90 percent of people over age 65 want to stay in their home for as long as possible, and 80 percent believe their current residence is where they will always live, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute.
With the aging population booming, Zions Bank is helping elderly residents by fixing up their homes, which enables them to live independently in the homes they love while maintaining their dignity and health.
Senior citizens and disabled residents who face challenges maintaining their homes received a helping hand from Zions Bank’s 26th annual Paint-a-Thon service project.
Zions Bank employees are “brushing up” on community service to help low-income elderly, disabled and veteran homeowners.
Throughout the service project that continues across the state through the end of June, more than 2,800 Zions Bank employees and their families are volunteering to clean, scrape and paint 44 homes in Idaho and Utah.
The average age of this year’s home owner is 77, with an average monthly income of $1,803. Projects completed during the annual week-long event were selected with the assistance of nominations from the public, state housing agencies, community organizations and local churches.
Zions Bank is committed to helping senior citizens remain in their homes as long as possible, maintaining their independence, dignity and health. Nearly 90 percent of people over age 65 want to stay in their home for as long as possible, and 80 percent believe their current residence is where they will always live, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute.
“Every year, we enjoy rolling up our sleeves and helping our neighbors in need like Evelyn spruce up their homes and yards,” said Zions Castle Dale financial center manager and Paint-a-Thon team captain Justin Johansen. “Not only is the project rewarding for both our employee volunteers and for our homeowners, but it aligns with Zions Bank’s mission to create value in our communities.”
Huntsman said, “Thanks to the many volunteers who helped paint my house. It looks great and I am very thankful for the work that’s been done. They helped with projects that I couldn’t do myself. They worked on my front porch, painted the house and put up boards under where the roof extended out. They moved items out from under the awning so they could paint the back of the house and clean up there. There were so many people here helping, even little kids with paint brushes helped paint the house.”
In addition to painting, Zions employees provide yard clean-up, pruning, mowing, planting and minor repairs as needed by homeowners. The cost for all paint and supplies is contributed by Zions Bank.
Launched in 1991, Zions Bank’s Paint-a-Thon began as a volunteer project for a dozen homes along Utah’s Wasatch Front. Over the past 26 years, Zions Bank employees have put aside summer pastimes for a week each year – volunteering in the evenings after work and on Saturday – to paint 1,090 homes throughout Idaho and Utah. Not counting the dollar value of volunteer hours through the years, the bank has donated more than $1 million toward beautifying homes in the two states.