"This is your heritage, you have to be proud of it," said Rene Marquardt, as he carefully paints over graffiti spray painted on the side of the Ginocchio Hotel.

Vandals damaged the building April 5, painting gang symbols on the former hotel and all along the wooden fence that runs on the west side of the building.

Marquardt, 36, is a native of Germany and has been a professional painter for the past 10 years. He volunteered his time Monday afternoon to paint over the graffiti on the hotel.

After moving to Marshall in 2002 he has worked as Web site developer and maintenance at Three Oaks Bed and Breakfast, just a one-half block away from the Ginocchio.