They're Doing It Again!

I'm on a contest kick lately, but here's another good one (complete with neat background story and video).

So, last year for Thanksgiving, Dennis Moffitt Painting in Wakefield decided to donate a fresh paint job to a local family. "We figured we would go inside, put some nice colors on the walls and help someone feel better," they wrote on their Web site. But word got around (this is Rhode Island), and Dennis and his son, Michael, suddenly found themselves spearheading a full-on home makeover. Somewhere around thirty local companies also wanted to donate their time and materials, everything from landscaping to carpentry to interior decorating to a tank of heating oil, even free lodging at the Hampton Inn while the renovations were underway. (The homeowners sweetly confessed to worrying pre-reveal that they wouldn't like the new home as much as life at the Hampton Inn.)

 There's a video on the whole project here; the reveal starts at around 10:03. (Be forewarned that if you never thought to inscribe a piece of sheet rock with an endearing message when your house was being built, you're going to regret it.)

Now, they're doing it all again this year -- DMP is looking for nominations (October 15 deadline) for Narragansett/South Kingston homeowners to win this year's prize, which looks like it will also include furniture. They're particularly interested in a family who is struggling with medical or financial problems. Hint: If you know someone who could use it but may be shy about getting help, just show them the video. I think the experience was as amazing for the companies involved as for the homeowners.

Everything you need to know: www.experiencedmp.com/makeover