As part of its global community engagement efforts, PPG has announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES project in Ponce, Puerto Rico, at the iconic Parque de Bombas museum. The weeklong project involved more than 200 gallons of GLIDDEN and PPG PAINTS products as well as 24 PPG volunteers to help restore this long-standing historic landmark.

The Colorful Communities program provides PPG volunteers, products and financial contributions to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world. PPG launched the program in 2015 by committing to invest $10 million in communities during a 10-year period.

Considered one of the most recognizable landmarks on the island, Parque de Bombas is a distinctive building constructed in 1882 that once housed the city’s first fire station. In 1990, the building was repurposed as a museum that today preserves pictures, documents, tools and other memorabilia of the firefighters in Ponce, including paintings honoring the seven firefighters and one civilian who helped save Ponce during a fire in 1899. Parque de Bombas, which receives more than 80,000 visitors annually, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984.

“PPG has been part of the Puerto Rico community for more than 50 years, and we are proud to be a community partner and contribute to beautifying this historic landmark. Parque de Bombas is a long-standing symbol of respect, admiration and gratitude in the community, and as Puerto Ricans, it is our duty to make it shine brighter than ever,” said Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, director of PPG’s architectural coatings business in the Caribbean. “PPG and our employees are grateful to be able to give back to the community in such a worthwhile way.”

Maria Meléndez Altieri, mayor of Ponce, said, “The people of Ponce gladly welcome PPG, its directors, employees and their families, and embrace this honorable initiative. For over 300 years Ponce has stood as a proud city and today we express our gratitude and appreciation. The Old Ponce Firehouse will certainly charm local and foreign visitors for many years to come.”

The project involved various PPG Paints and Glidden paints, including PPG Paints PITT-TECH® and SEAL GRIP® products, as well as GLIDDEN PROFESSIONAL Devguard paint. These high-performance products with excellent adhesion, fast dry time and weather-resistance will protect Parque de Bombas from the harsh weather patterns of Puerto Rico for years to come.