By Susan Manning

Staff writer

For the past five years, Holliston resident John Mulvaney has donated his time to make a difference for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Mulvaney, who has owned Natick-based TLC Painting since 2008, has worked on 15 “wishes” since 2017. Projects have ranged from room re-decorations to tree houses to play houses. He and his staff do the painting work free of charge.

Because of his work the past five years, he was recently awarded the Boston Business Journal (BBJ) 2022 Corporate Citizenship Community Collaboration Award, in recognition of the company’s significant support of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and its mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. 

Through its in-kind support, the company and its employees bring hope, strength, and joy to children and their families who are facing challenges due to a life-threatening diagnosis. 

Mulvaney and his team take pride in contributing to wishes and find the experience a fulfilling team-building opportunity. 

“The most rewarding aspect of granting a wish is to see how excited and appreciative the families are when the wish is complete,” said Mulvaney. 

“John and his team not only bring expertise and creativity to each project, they are also incredibly sensitive to our mission and the unique needs that our wish children and their families have,” said Sean Holleran, CEO of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “TLC’s impact lasts long after a wish project is completed. For children who spend significant time in hospital environments, TLC’s support contributes to the creation of an oasis that can be the setting for healing and hope, and helps wish children reclaim childhood.”

Mulvaney and his TLC team also encourage other businesses to get involved, including engaging Sherwin Williams as an in-kind donor of materials. 

“We know we must strive to be good corporate citizens and everyone on the team believes in our commitment to give back to the community,” said Mulvaney. “We take every possible opportunity to illustrate that social responsibility is more than just a catchphrase and requires positive,  dedicated action.” 

A 29-year resident of Holliston, Mulvaney was inspired to support Make-A-Wish by the story of his son’s classmate, who received a wish, and he remains in touch with the classmate’s family to this day. Mulvaney has a long history of philanthropy and outside of Make-A-Wish, has volunteered in many capacities, including 10 mission trips with St. Mary’s Church to help with disaster relief after hurricanes, and two coast-to-coast charity bike rides.

His church trips include nine years of leading groups of youth on trips to help in the aftermath of Katrina. He lead painting crews of students (16-20 students) within larger overall groups that sometimes numbered as many as 96 people. Painting homes and other.

 “You name it, we painted it,” he said. 

 He is also very active with the Timothy O’Connell Foundation and Tim’s Team – in memory of Timothy O’Connell, son of Holliston residents Joanne and Kevin O’Connell.

He and his wife, Joan, raised four children there, all of whom attended Holliston schools. (Children are now 28, 26, 24, 20). He said “It’s been a great place to raise my family.”

He coached a lot of sports teams as they were growing up and still coaches the varsity lacrosse team at Holliston High School.

The Boston Business Journal Corporate Citizenship Community Collaboration Award is an annual recognition of Massachusetts companies that demonstrate innovation and develop best practices in specific partnerships with nonprofits. Nominations are judged on four standards: mission, innovation, impact and sustainability.