MB Jessee Selects MOCHA as Recipient of Project Color Award

MB Jessee has selected the Museum of Children’s Arts (MOCHA) as the recipient of their 11th Annual Project Color Painting for Charity Giveaway, granting them up to $10,000 in painting services.

MB Jessee is an Oakland-based residential and commercial green painting contractor that provides services to San Francisco, East Bay, and Contra Costa counties for 25 years. Owner Matthew Jessee and his professional painting staff believe that it is their responsibility and privilege to invest in the community by helping nonprofit businesses and organizations who can benefit from free painting services while also having respect for the environment.

For the past 11 years, MB Jessee has gone in search of local charities that could be in need of exterior and/or interior painting services. Once each year, they ask clients and designers to nominate nonprofit organizations who may potentially benefit from these services. After careful review of the applicants, one community project is selected as the winner of their Project Color Award, which entitles them to a day of MB Jessee’s staff donating their time to prep and paint the facility. Earlier this summer, three finalists were chosen and ultimately, MOCHA was awarded the prize.

MOCHA is an art museum and interactive space founded in 1989 to help the community celebrate children’s art and creativity. MOCHA’s staff is committed to providing quality, hands-on art experiences to children and families in economically at-risk communities. Their work and motivation is deeply rooted in the belief that many social problems and issues of youth violence can be lessened by offering an artistic, collaborative outlet for those to express themselves more constructively. MOCHA offers a range of art programs, including open studios, exhibitions, parties, camps, and field trips, and their teaching artists lead off-site classes in the Bay Area through their School and Community Programs. MOCHA’s programs reach over 35,000 members annually, and the museum has offered artistic experiences to over one million children since its inception 27 years ago.

“We are so incredibly excited and grateful, we could’ve never afforded to do this so this is a very big deal for us,” said Roxanne Padgett, Executive Director of MOCHA. “Personally, we put a lot of energy into our space because it tells the community that it’s theirs, it’s important and we want it to be a beautiful space for the children and their families. Everybody has the potential to be what they want to be and art is a way for people to understand that what they are expressing is important and that they are important in the community.”

Padgett was first amazed to learn that an Oakland business used its time, resources and well-intended effort to give back to their own community, she said. “It kind of blew me away to be honest; we’re not used to working with for profit companies that really want to do something for their communities and I can tell Matt and his employees are so into contributing to their community, said Padgett. “The fact that all these people are giving their own time on a Saturday to contribute, it’s really incredible and giving.

The goal of Project Color has been to encourage, refresh, and transform the space of the winning nominee in appreciation of their role in the community and the work they do, while reminding them that they are not alone in their efforts. In celebration of the consistent work and effort MOCHA’s team has put into the community over the years, an event will be held in their honor on Saturday, October 22 from 10:30- 12 Noon.

“We really love giving back to our community here in the Bay Area. The non-profit organizations we’ve helped in the past deserve to be recognized for all their light and life they provide and we’re excited to be helping MOCHA for this year” says Matthew B. Jesse, owner.

MB Jessee is a fully licensed, bonded and insured painting contractor that provides the highest level of workmanship for homes, estates or businesses. MB Jessee serves the San Francisco, East Bay and Contra Costa Counties, delivering quality workmanship and professionalism. Their small-company attitude guarantees friendliness, neatness and respect from all employees. As an active member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and National Association of the Remodeling Industry, MB Jessee abides by the respective standards of practice. Professional painters – endless possibilities. For more information, visit www.mbjessee.com.