FIRESTONE, Colo. (KDVR) A Firestone couple’s home is getting revamped for their efforts in the foster care space, all thanks to a group of painters from around the country who are donating their time and energy.

Dave and Tracee Rudd got involved in foster care eight years ago.

“My brother’s family was fostering and then we went through a process so we can support their family,” said Tracee. “Then a little while after that I started working for a nonprofit called Colorado Kids Belong. One of the specific programs we have is helping kids that need adopting for foster care to find families.”

After seeing a video presentation of one of the kids, Tracee felt compelled to help out.

“I felt a nudge,” she said. “I’m a person that prays and asks God, like, ‘Hey what is it?’ Came home and told my husband I think there’s a boy I met today that maybe belongs in our family. We went through the process of inquiring about him and he moved in, in May of 2020 on Mother’s Day a month before he turned 15.”

They knew of his sister, but she was still bouncing around through foster care.

“So, a little over a year ago she moved in with us and just a few months ago we adopted her when she was 17 and a half. So just knowing there’s kids out there that need a family to belong to, especially before they launch off into adulthood. Gosh it impacted us in so many ways,” said Tracee. “In Colorado, we average about 4,000 kids in foster care or out-of-home placement. I think currently, we’re somewhere around 360 kids that are waiting for a family to adopt them.”

Their efforts made a lasting impact on the community. Now that same community wants to give back by painting it forward.

National initiative sees impact of Firestone couple

Paint it Forward is a nationwide initiative by That 1 Painter.

“We try to give back every year through our corporation and our franchise,” said Bishop Thorpe, Location manager for That 1 Painter – North Denver. “We’re locally owned and we’re doing 100 projects this month for people who deserve them.”

Bishop said a job of this size typically costs around $5,000 to $10,000. In addition to painting, the franchise will also provide a kitchen renovation.

“We picked this blue color for the cabinets; so excited for that and all the walls are going to be a creamy white color,” said Tracee.

The Rudds are thankful for the act of kindness and for the community for nominating them for their dedication to finding teenagers loving homes.

“To me, very little piece of stability you can provide to these kids is important making it a place we love to be in more. I think it’s going to be huge for them,” said Dave.

“The work starts across the nation on the 24th of March,” said Thorpe. “If people want to help their (the Rudd’s) kitchen is going to be out of order. So, food would be great. Any kind of other trades would be awesome. We’re going to be bringing a carpet cleaner and maid in to clean up after us and get that looking good.”

If you or your business would like to contribute, please reach out to Eric Johnson at 602-697-0934 or email eric.j@that1painter.com.