Saturday, April 21st, 2007, turned out to be a beautiful day. Over 100 groups throughout Tampa participated in “Paint Your Heart Out, Tampa!” and the Hillsborough County Medical Association team did their part. The home of one elderly South Tampa resident, Lucy Salemi, was our designated site for this paint day, in which the HCMA has participated for all of the 19 years this annual program has existed in the bay area.

Beginning at 8am, prepared with paint supplies and good spirits, over 30 volunteers gave their time and energy, including 9 physicians, 8 medical students, medical office staff, and other generous supporters who wanted to lend a hand. Many heartfelt thanks go to the following volunteers of the 2007 HCMA paint team:

Dr. Mathis Becker, Patricia Black, Dr. Davis Boling, Sharon Booth, Bryan Boudreau, Thure Caire, Chelsea Cano, Cindy Cano, Drew Carey, Doris Cowan, Gema Crespo, Parker Freeman, Jessica Freilich, Drew Gold, Dr. Tanya Gold, Dr. Carol Hodges-Homan, Dr. Ed Homan, Elke Johnston, Beau Knowles, Linda Knowles, Dr. David Lubin, Melissa Miller-Boudreau, John Pantellis, Nishit Patel, Dr. Dennis Penzell, Desiree Peterman, Linda Rackleff, Michael Roberts, Amy Rodriguez, Dr. Bruce Shephard, Leslie Shields, Tuan Truong, Dr. Amy Tunanidas, and Katherine Williamson.

In just a matter of hours, the HCMA paint team managed to give the home a makeover, from the porch to the awnings. Several volunteers even managed to spruce up the landscaping in the backyard, clearing years of overgrown shrubbery. Our homeowner was extraordinarily pleased with our efforts and generosity.

The house, which had only received its third paint job in sixty years, brightened the small street, much like it brightened the hearts of the volunteers. April 21st turned out to be quite a beautiful day.

A very big “thank you” also goes to Papa John’s Pizza, located at 3425 W. Kennedy Boulevard, for generously donating a stack of pizzas for lunch for our volunteers. They replenished our bellies and our spirits on paint day.

Mrs. Salemi’s home, before its new paint job.	Our paint day home, after its makeover!
Leave it to the ladies to work on the details…	Dr. Mathis Becker works on caulking the garage door.
Dr. Davis Boling, trimming up the edges.	As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ed Homan has an eye for detail.
Even the HCMA medical students get in on the act.	Dr. David Lubin: Service with a Smile!
Drs. Shephard and Penzell don’t mind getting their hands dirty.	Posing with the homeowner’s daughter and caretaker, Sylvia.
Thank you to all volunteers – we couldn’t have done it without you!!