S. Kingstown painter completes home makeover

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – The construction project to convert an unused garage to a handicapped accessible suite had all the trimmings of a professional job save one: the contractors never delivered a bill.
Last month, a group of local companies led by Dennis Moffitt Painting finished a renovation to accommodate 10-year-old Adam Aref, who relies on a wheelchair to move around. But his family’s 1950s-era house proved a challenge to navigate and the price tag to renovate out of reach.
But then a family friend found out that Dennis Moffitt Painting was looking to help a local family in need of a home makeover. She – and 49 other people – nominated young Aref, who has muscular dystrophy. Dennis Moffitt Painting picked Aref and organized a host of companies to donate services, labor and supplies. Work started in November.
The contractors unveiled the finished product two days before Christmas to the delight of Aref, who now has a new accessible bedroom, bathroom and family room. Workers also outfitted the new suite with a Red Sox theme after learning Aref held a passion for the team and repainted the interior of the entire house.
Dennis Moffitt Painting co-owner Mike Moffitt valued the project at more than $120,000. What he could not place a value on was a text message from the Aref’s mother received Christmas Eve after the cameras had left. Aref, she said, was wheeling himself around his own house for the first time ever.
“It was nice to hear that it worked,” Moffitt said. “Everything that we had planned kind of came true.”
It was the second donated home renovation the painting company organized. Last year, it organized companies to work on a home owned by a local school custodian.
Moffitt said the projects have gone so well that some people are encouraging him to start a nonprofit organization to facilitate the makeovers.