PORT ANGELES — Jamie Parris wanted to start the summer on the right note.
The 21-year-old Port Angeles man recently bought the local franchise of College Pro, a nationwide painting service composed of college-aged workers.
For his first project, Parris and nine crew members are painting the Healthy Families of Clallam County Rose House — a transition shelter for victims of domestic violence — for free.
“It’s kind of like karma,” Parris said.
When he started painting for College Pro, the old boss opened the painting season by doing a charity project.
Parris wanted to preserve the tradition of “doing something good” for the community while getting his crew acclimated to work.
Painting at the Rose House on Fifth Street began Monday. The work is expected to be completed today, Parris said.
“It’s one of those small, large miracles,” said Becca Korby, Healthy Families of Clallam County executive director.
“This just dropped in our lap. Thanks to [Port Angeles City Council member] Pat Downie and [United Way of Clallam County Executive Director] Jody Moss.”
Downie, Paint the Town president and longtime volunteer coordinator, put Parris in touch with Korby about two weeks ago.
“I try to help coordinate and facilitate and link those with needs with those willing to help,” Downie said.
Moss has steered volunteers to Healthy Families, which works with United Way on some projects.
“I think the blessing of this community and this county is we know so much about one another, how we work and the needs that happen,” Moss said.
College Pro work
College Pro painted a large Port Angeles house for Paint the Town about two years ago.
“They were very successful,” Downie said.
Paint the Town is a volunteer organization that paints homes for the elderly and disabled.
Healthy Families was looking to raise between $14,000 and $20,000 to have the Victorian-style Rose House painted light blue.
It has not had a fresh coat of paint since it opened in 1995, Korby said.
Thanks to the college painters, Healthy Families paid for nothing more than paint and supplies.
College Pro opened in 1971. It paints an average of 25,000 homes per year.
Most of the local crew attend Peninsula College, which let out for summer break last week.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
