Year 5 - 2016

Love in Every Brushstroke

She had spent her life giving—teaching generations of students not music education, but how to be kind, brave, and curious. Her classroom was always a place of light.

But now, that same light was being tested.

When breast cancer came knocking, it didn’t just affect her body—it shook her home, her energy, her routine. She was still the same giving soul, but this time, she needed help.

And Team Holland answered.

When word reached Cindy Holland and the team, they knew exactly what to do. In honor of Matt’s legacy, November was their time to serve—and this year, it was her turn to be loved the way she had loved so many.

It started with fresh paint and kitchen tiles, but it quickly grew into something far bigger. New bedroom makeovers gave her daughter a space to dream and rest. An outdoor playground was built so laughter could echo again. Bushes were trimmed, mulch was laid, and a tired backyard became a haven of peace.

But perhaps the most beautiful surprise was the people. Dozens of new volunteers came—many of them teachers, staff, and parents from the very school where she had spent her career. They came with tools in their hands and tears in their eyes, ready to give back to someone who had given so much.

Each room they touched carried more than paint or furniture. It carried love. Prayers. Healing. Hope.

It wasn’t just a home makeover. It was a soul refresh. A reminder to her and her family that they were not alone in this fight.

And as the number of volunteers grew that year, so did the spirit of Team Holland—GIVE. LOVE. SERVE. That was their heartbeat, and it echoed louder than ever.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

She smiled through tears because she knew—this was love in action.