Painting with a Purpose: A Fresh Coat, A Fresh Start
Every year, McLain’s Painting takes a step away from the “business as usual” world of ladders, brushes, and tape lines to focus on something bigger: Painting with a Purpose. This initiative puts paint where it matters most: on the walls of local nonprofits that serve our community.
The idea is simple but powerful.
We donate up to $10,000 worth of professional painting services to one organization chosen through nominations, committee reviews, and a team-wide vote. The result? A fresh look for the buildings where hope lives, works, and grows.
Why We Do It
Some businesses give back by writing checks. We give back by doing what we do best. Painting. And if we’re being honest, there’s something deeply satisfying about knowing that the skills we’ve spent decades perfecting can bring joy, comfort, and renewal to people who need it most.
- Gratitude in technicolor: Knoxville has supported us since 1999, and this is our chance to say “thank you” in the most colorful way possible.
- Awareness that sticks:
A new coat of paint draws attention. It literally shines a spotlight on incredible nonprofits that often work quietly behind the scenes.
- Hope on a roller: As we say around here, paint doesn’t just refresh walls, it refreshes spirits.
Why It Matters
Let’s be real: paint is not a cure-all. But you’d be amazed at what a clean, bright, and welcoming space can do. A nonprofit’s building is often the very first thing people see, and appearances matter more than we sometimes admit. A refreshed exterior sends a quiet but powerful message: we’re here, and we care.
But the impact goes beyond curb appeal. For staff and volunteers who pour themselves into others day after day, walking into a space that feels fresh and cared for is like receiving a silent thank you. When neighbors see these projects taking shape, it creates a ripple effect that reminds everyone we are all in this together. In short, paint is practical, but it is also symbolic. It says, loud and clear: this place, these people, this mission, they matter.
This Year’s Project: Painting Hope at Childhelp Tennessee
Now for the highlight reel: our 2025 Painting with a Purpose project at Childhelp in Knoxville.
Childhelp is a nonprofit that works tirelessly to support children in need, offering advocacy, counseling, and safe spaces. They deal with some of the hardest realities kids can face, and they do it with compassion, determination, and heart.
So when the community nominated Childhelp and our team cast the final vote, the decision was unanimous: this was the place to pour our time, energy, and yes, gallons of paint.
The Day in a Nutshell (or Paint Can)
The day itself? Pure energy. Volunteers showed up with smiles (and old clothes they wouldn’t mind sacrificing to the cause). Ladders went up, brushes went in, and before long, the building began to transform. More importantly, so did the atmosphere. There’s a kind of magic in watching a space, and the people within it, light up together.
This wasn’t just another job. It was a chance to serve, to connect, and to be reminded why community matters.
Eight Years, Countless Stories
Painting with a Purpose has been running for eight years now, and every project leaves its own mark on us. We’ve painted for organizations like Thrive Lonsdale, Mission of Hope, Susannah’s House, and Alzheimer’s Tennessee. Each has its own story, its own heart, and its own way of impacting Knoxville.
Childhelp is the latest chapter, but the story is far from over.
The Final Brushstroke
At the end of the day, Painting with a Purpose isn’t just about paint; it’s about people. It’s about pausing the hustle of business to remember why we’re here: to serve, to connect, and to leave things a little brighter than we found them.
Whether it’s a fresh coat of color on a wall or a renewed sense of hope in a heart, the impact lingers far longer than the new-paint smell. And that’s exactly the point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much painting do you actually donate?
A: Up to $10,000 in painting services—inside, outside, or wherever it’s needed most.
Q: How do you choose the nonprofit?
A: Community nominations roll in → a volunteer committee narrows them down → McLain’s team casts the final vote.
Q: Who’s benefitted before?
A: Past recipients include Mission of Hope, Thrive Lonsdale, Old North Abbey Church, Susannah’s House, and Alzheimer’s Tennessee.
Q: Is this just about looks?
A: Nope. The paint is just the tool. The real goal is creating spaces that feel safe, welcoming, and inspiring.
