ESCONDIDO --â€" Ryan Kahlor, an injured Iraq War veteran, said he knew some volunteers were coming to help paint his Escondido home Saturday morning, but he had envisioned a "couple of guys with spray guns."

When nearly 50 people descended on the U.S. Army sergeant's house, he was overwhelmed.

"It was crazy … amazing," Kahlor said. "No words can define my gratitude for the people who donated their time to help me advance my life."

In just over four hours the crew set up, painted the exterior walls and trim, did some light landscaping and removed debris from a fence Kahlor had built earlier this year, then cleaned up the site, leaving no trace that they were ever there except for a warm, inviting new facade.

"For a group of volunteers, they were extremely professional," said Steve Vargo, a counselor advocate for the military injured contracted through the U.S. Department of Defense.

Vargo, who helps injured service members return to civilian life, said he was perusing the Internet when he came across the Web site of the nonprofit organization United We Paint. He shared Kahlor's story in an online application.

Kahlor served more than four tours in Iraq. Of his original unit of 22 soldiers, including many close friends of Kahlor, only seven have come back alive.

He has been recovering from multiple surgeries in the San Diego Naval Hospital for the past 18 months. He suffers from chronic post-traumatic stress syndrome, multiple herniated disks, carpal tunnel syndrome, post-concussion symptoms, and shrapnel wounds. In Kahlor's first Iraq tour, he survived two blasts from improvised explosive devices. In his second tour, he survived four IED explosions, a Humvee roll-over, and a harrowing fall that nearly cost him his life. While going through treatments he was able to purchase a foreclosed home, but it was badly in need of repair.

United We Paint decided right away to help Kahlor out and asked the local United Parcel Service division to pitch in. UPS rounded up a slew of volunteers -- more than they had originally sought.

"Once we heard Ryan's story, it was easy to get people to sign up," said Allen Goodall, division manager for UPS, which has been working with United We Paint for several years.

Goodall, who lives in Escondido, brought three of his children along to teach them "how good it feels to give back."

As they drove away Saturday afternoon Goodall said his son was already asking when they could "do it again."

United We Paint acts as a conduit and coordinator, "bringing the community together with companies that donate time and materials" according to executive director Jeff Zotara.

Zotara said Kahlor was "incredibly grateful," offering to help the volunteers in any way he could. Zotara said it was "us that should be thanking him" told him to "just relax and enjoy himself" because it was his day.

Kahlor's father, Tim Kahlor of Temecula, said that he had not seen his son smile like he did Saturday since he returned home from the war.

Based in San Marcos, United We Paint helps day care centers, senior centers and the disadvantaged all over California and the nation. So far, in its 11-year history, they have painted 501 homes and facilities.

More than 15,000 dedicated volunteers have participated in more than 100 communities providing more than $4 million worth of services.

The organization is nominees and volunteers for a large group of makeovers planned in its hometown of San Marcos in October. More information can be found at www.unitedwepaint.org.