Jiří Pospíšil Provides “Treasured” Technical Support at a Local Shelter

Our first completed Colorful Communities project of 2022 took place at the women’s shelter Sv. Markéta, part of the Diecézní Charita Brno. 

The biggest of its kind in the Czech Republic, the shelter offers its 28 flats to homeless mothers, pregnant women and victims of domestic violence for one year at a time while they support them in getting back on their own feet. 

Sv. Markéta has been the Brno Shared Services Centre’s Charity Partner for the last two years. The CSR team has held several fundraising activities for them, including raffles, personal challenges, online donations, purchasing Christmas presents and arranging stronger Wi-Fi for remote learning! 

Unfortunately, the state of the shelter’s hallways was bad, with holes in the plaster and the walls needing reparation and repainting. 

In It from the Beginning 

Jiří is one of our technical sales representatives based in Brno, Czech Republic, and it is his job to deal with technical and sales matters for the South Moravia and Vysočina regions. He’s only in the office one or two days a week. Otherwise, he’s on the road tracking down new customers. 

He is also responsible for training employees of Dům Barev, the biggest integrated network of paint stores in the Czech Republic, but he likes to be in touch also with the independent customers in the region. Courses include two-day training for sellers who learn how to work with our product portfolio. 

“I like challenges and I am embarking on some new projects right now. These are things that keep moving me forward.” 

Jiří joined the first local Colorful Communities project back in 2016 and has worked on them every year since. So everyone knew whom to turn to when it was decided they would renovate the halls of the Sv. Markéta building. 

“I knew from the beginning that I would be happy to get involved again this year.” 

“Our Treasured Technical Support” 

Jiří became the technical support for this project, recommending materials and technological procedures. He tells us that he likes being able to "touch the colors and work with them”, so, of course, he got his hands colorful too! 

“He was always there, at the end of the phone, or picking up the product in the morning, or guiding the volunteers in their work. He is our treasured technical support – without him, the project would not have happened.” – Lucie Burianova, community engagement partner, EMEA 

Jiří loves these projects as he gets to meet people from different networks and share experience with each other. He also enjoys being surprised by his colleagues’ handy skills. 

“Some people are afraid to take the products in their hands and work with it. But there is nothing to worry about, it is about giving it a go.” 

Choosing Cleanable Ceramic Colors 

In total, 49 volunteers contributed more than 350 volunteering hours during four days to renovating the hallways on five floors of the building, the railing throughout and the hobby room. Vivien Lattenberg, EMEA lease coordinator and a muralist in her free time, created a beautiful mural in the garden. 

A special tie-dye finish was created on the freshly painted walls – something the volunteers learned onsite. It was chosen to help mask any future damage to the paintwork caused by the huge amount of traffic it sees (strollers, children’s hands, etc.). 

For the same reason, Jiří recommended using our special washable PRIMALEX® Ceramic paints. Thanks to their unique properties that minimize the penetration of liquid impurities, Primalex Ceramic lets you simply wipe off stains made from things like ketchup, chocolate and markers – a favorite for schools and parents! 

The team used approximately 250 liters, choosing 11 of the range’s 23 shades. 

“We are very grateful to PPG for this whole project and for all the other supporting activities done over the two-year period.” – Mgr. Monika Žewucká, head of Sv. Markéta shelter 

A Family and Community Focus 

When Jiří is not going above and beyond the call of duty to help his community, he’s putting his family and home first. 

He is also actively engaged with the voluntary firefighters in his village. In fact, after the 2021 tornado in nearby Hodonín, his firefighting team volunteered their time, helping to clear away debris. 

Of course, he was also involved with other aspects of the relief support, including a financial grant to the Diecézní charita Brno relief fund, a large product donation to Red Cross for distribution to low-income families, seniors and single parents in the affected area, and a further massive donation of product to elementary and high schools and kindergartens in the area. Even in his spare time, Jiří is supporting his community in times of need!