At Proper Painting LLC, our business isn’t just about applying fresh coats of paint, patching up drywall, or transforming living rooms. That’s why, when the opportunity arises to step out of our daily routine and use our hands to lift up a local organization, we jump at the chance.
Just recently, our team had the honor to contribute their time and efforts to a truly outstanding non-profit in the area: Liz’s Birthday Closet. They were in the process of setting up their new building located at 96 South Main Street in Sellersville, PA, and we contributed by helping them remove wallpaper; a task known for being particularly grueling.
Here is a look behind the scenes at why we chose to volunteer, the hard work that goes into preparing a new commercial space, and why Liz’s Birthday Closet is a local treasure that deserves all of our support.
The Mission: Who is Liz’s Birthday Closet?
If you aren’t familiar with Liz’s Birthday Closet, they are a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to a beautiful, deeply touching mission. Founded in honor of Elizabeth Cristinzio, the organization’s goal is simple yet profound: to embody love and spread joy by making sure that children in need across the region get to experience the magic of a birthday celebration.
Remember when you had birthday parties growing up. The thrill of making that wish on the birthday cake, the joy in getting a gift that you had hoped for, and the happiness of having your loved ones celebrate you. It is not easy for families who are having difficulties or are struggling financially to give their children such memories. Parents must make decisions whether to pay the rent, buy food, or get a birthday gift.
Liz’s Birthday Closet steps into that gap with immense dignity and grace. They provide “Birthday Toolkits” equipped with cake mix, frosting, candles, and disposable supplies, as well as free, high-quality gifts, toys, clothes, and more necessities for children aged 1 to 16 years old. Instead of just giving away items, Liz’s Birthday Closet restores dignity, builds wonderful memories, and reinforces our community with such generosity. Their funds are used entirely for providing these unique opportunities.
When we heard they were expanding into their new facility in Sellersville to reach even more families, we knew we wanted to help them get their new home ready.
Behind the Scraper: The Reality of Wallpaper Removal
For all homeowners and property managers out there, you know that you have to get dirty before anything new is created. One of the most labor-intensive jobs when it comes to interior redecorating and painting would have to be stripping away old wallpaper.
While stripping wallpaper may appear to be an easy and satisfying task, that might not always prove to be true. Based on the duration of time the wallpaper has been on the wall, the type of adhesive used to stick the wallpaper, and if the drywall has been primed beforehand, taking the wallpaper off the wall can prove to be a daunting task.
Our group had arrived at Sellersville with our professional tools and attitude of being “On Time, On Budget, With Pride.” As this was a volunteer task for us, our budget was purely our time, which we tried to make the most of.
Step 1: Assessment and Scoring
First, we examined the kind of backing and paper that we were working with. We used special scoring devices to make small openings on the top layer of wallpaper without damaging the thin drywall beneath it. This process allows water to seep through and dissolve the old adhesive.
Step 2: Applying the Solution
We applied professional-grade, eco-friendly enzymatic stripping solutions and steam to loosen the adhesive. Patience is key here; you have to let the solution do the heavy lifting so that the drywall paper backing doesn’t tear off with the wallpaper.
Step 3: Scraping with Care
Now that the glue was softened, we used special blades for peeling off the wallpaper layer by layer. This is a lengthy process which demands precision, a stable hand, and much effort.
Step 4: Washing the Walls
The biggest misconception people have about wallpaper stripping is that the work is finished when they remove the paper. In reality, the paste leftover after removing the wallpaper becomes your worst enemy when painting the walls. By applying paint straight onto old wallpaper glue, you’re actually creating an environment where water in the paint can reactivate the glue, causing the paint to crack, peel, and bubble. We cleaned every inch of the walls to make sure there was no trace of glue left.
By donating our time and doing the tedious job for them, it would allow them to put their efforts into what they do best, which is coordinating donations, preparing the birthday kits, and putting smiles on the faces of local children.
Why Community Action Matters to Proper Painting
We launched Proper Painting LLC during the midst of the pandemic. It was certainly not easy, but we had faith that if we would treat our customers like family members, fulfill our promises, and offer the highest standard of craftsmanship, we would create something that lasts. Over the years, we have served as the Bucks County painters that our neighbors trust us with their homes and businesses.
Giving back is not a business strategy for us, it is a responsibility. The time that non-profit organizations in the local community are spending on maintaining, renovating, and preparing facilities means less money is being put toward the actual purpose of these organizations. With our services, we can maximize the effectiveness of each dollar raised by donors. The time we have spent peeling off wallpaper in Sellersville is equivalent to more toys, more clothing, and more birthday cakes for kids.
How You Can Support Liz’s Birthday Closet
The new Sellersville facility is going to allow Liz’s Birthday Closet to expand its reach and bring joy to even more families across Bucks and Montgomery Counties. But they can’t do it alone. As a community, we need to rally around them to keep their shelves fully stocked.
If you are looking for a way to make a direct, tangible impact in your local community, here is how you can help:
- Donate Toys and Necessities: They are always in need of new, unwrapped toys, books, and clothing for children aged 1 to 16. Teen gifts are often in high demand and short supply!
- Build Birthday Kits: Gather your family, your coworkers, or your local school group to collect and donate birthday essentials like boxed cake mixes, cans of frosting, birthday plates, napkins, and candles.
- Financial Contributions: Since these organizations are registered as charities under 501(c)(3), any monetary contributions can be used to purchase necessities and create meaningful moments.
- Volunteer Your Time: Keep an eye on updates as they settle into their new location in Sellersville. They always have a need for help sorting donations, packing toolkits, and helping out at community events.
To learn more about their story, find drop-off locations, or make a donation, visit their official website at lizsbirthdaycloset.org.
Ready to Transform Your Own Space?
Whether it be a non-profit organization setting up a new center for its operations, a firm that wants its commercial building refurbished, or an individual wanting to remove the dated wallpaper in their dining room, Proper Painting LLC is here to help.
We apply just the same enthusiasm, precision, and community pride to each and every one of our jobs, regardless of the size. If you are looking for an experienced and dependable painter in Perkasie to finally get started on your interior painting, dry wall repair, or wallpaper removal task, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you to the team at Liz’s Birthday Closet for allowing us to play a small part in your beautiful journey. We can’t wait to see the new Sellersville facility fully up, running, and bursting with birthday magic!
Want to get a free estimate for your next residential or commercial painting project in Bucks or Montgomery County? Contact Proper Painting LLC today to get started.
