Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw mother of two recently received a fresh start in her home through Matthews’ Painting Company’s annual Paint It Forward program.
Kendall Rogers was selected as the 2025 Paint It Forward winner, awarded in 2026. Each year, the program provides free professional painting services to a local individual, family or nonprofit in need, according to a provided news release.
The Matthews’ Painting crew spent a recent Saturday at Rogers’ Warsaw home, donating their time and professional painting services to bring hope, joy and an improved living space to Rogers and her children, the release states.
“Kendall’s story really touched us. She has been carrying so much while continuing to care for her children,” said Matthews’ Painting Company owner Jason Matthews.
Rogers was nominated for Paint It Forward by her grandmother, Myra Barnett.
In her nomination, Barnett described Rogers as a devoted single mother raising two children after the children’s father was killed in a car accident when her son was only a few months old. Since then, Rogers has worked six days a week to support her family. Barnett also shared that Rogers takes in “hairless” shelter dogs to find them a home, something she felt reflected the compassion and generosity Rogers continues to show even while carrying so much herself.
“Kendall is a great mother with a heart of gold,” Barnett wrote in her nomination. “She does and does for others but can’t catch up enough to get this done. Her house is in desperate need of an interior paint job, but she cannot afford it. It would mean the world to her.”
The Paint It Forward project focused on refreshing the interior of Rogers’ home, including basic wall patching and repairs to areas with dog damage. The team painted the living room and hallway with an extremely washable paint, creating a space that felt renewed, cared for, and welcoming for her family and the shelter dogs Rogers’ helps rehome, the release states.
Paint It Forward has become a part of Matthews’ Painting Company’s community outreach efforts.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support our community has shown this program over the years,” Matthews said. “The nominations are always a reminder of how many people are quietly carrying heavy burdens while still giving so much of themselves.
Paint It Forward is a program that allows community members to nominate a family or nonprofit organization that could benefit from free professional painting services. Once nominations are submitted on the Paint it Forward section of the company’s website, the Matthews’ Painting team carefully reviews each one and selects a recipient who they believe would benefit most from the program’s help. The team then sets aside a special day to come together and complete the project, giving the winner a refreshed space and, more importantly, a renewed sense of hope. Nominations are due in November each year, with the recipient being chosen early in the following year.
