Eight community projects have now been completed with the help of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, BEHR Paint and The Home Depot Foundation 2019 Fresh Paint Days Program.

This year’s program gave recipients 20 gallons of paint and painting supplies and community partners and volunteers then got to work transforming their structure and improving their neighborhoods.

“The theory is that one improvement can lead to another and eventually spur economic growth and development,”explained Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful. “It is so inspirational to see what can be accomplished when community members work together. The transformations are a visible reminder of the pride that people have for the places they live. Through our partnership with Behr and The Home Depot Foundation, we are honored to be a part of these community revitalization efforts,”

“At BEHR Paint, we believe in doing the right thing and we’re on a mission to make a difference in the communities where we live and work. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is an amazing organization and everyone in the community is enriched by their Fresh Paint Days efforts.  We are proud to once again be partnering with them to help beautify communities across the state,” said Drew Hatcher, Contract Management Director at BEHR Paint.

2019 Fresh Paint Days grant recipients include:

-- Sunbury Revitalization, Inc., Sunbury, Northumberland County: The Custom Metal Coatings building is located along Chestnut Street, a thoroughfare that brings people into Sunbury. It is part of the Federally Designated Historic District and is one of the first buildings visitors and residents see when entering the town.

“The Old Towne Neighborhood Group has been sprucing up multiple downtown facades this year. This project was a continuation of positive momentum. It is efforts like these that help people reconnect to their community and see that they can make a difference,” said Meghan Beck, Old Towne Neighborhood Committee Co-Chair.

-- Tri-City Meals on Wheels, Greenburg, Westmoreland County: The Tri-City Meals on Wheels building houses a commercial kitchen, freezers, food storage space and a garage for the Tri-City Meals on Wheels vehicle. Volunteers prepare 170 meals a day for elderly and disabled individuals who reside in Greensburg, Jeannette, Penn, Harrison City and the surrounding neighborhoods.

-- 8th Police Division, Philadelphia: Serving the residents of Philadelphia and surrounding communities, the ‘little white church on the hill’ recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, making it the second oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church in the world. The church is a cornerstone of the community, providing a venue for back to school nights, various feeding programs, HIV testing, and many other outreach programs.

-- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 928, Folsom, Delaware County: The VFW Post has served the local community as a meeting space for countless outreach and support projects for both veterans and civilians alike. The Post’s attached banquet hall has been the venue for hundreds of annual celebrations and charitable events. Joe Bartenbach, the groups Quartermaster, has reported that the new facelift and associated activity has increased membership and local involvement.

“We couldn't have asked for a better outcome as our once dying VFW post has been resurrected with the help of BEHR, The Home Depot Foundation, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful,” stated Bartenbach.

The other 4 Fresh Paint Days grant recipients were--

-- Borough of Patterson Heights, Beaver Falls, Beaver County:  Municipal building that houses the Patterson Heights Volunteer Fire Department and serves as a gathering place for government activities and community functions.

-- Reenvision Huntingdon, Huntingdon, Huntingdon County: A downtown community structure that was built in the late 1800’s and is used by local Juniata College students studying studio art and integrated media arts.

-- Lawrence County Partners for Preservation, Pulaski, Lawrence County:  Former home of the Feuchtwanger family and current home to the office of Lawrence County United Way.

-- Philadelphia Mural Arts, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County: Tustin Playground Recreation Center, serving the Overbrook Community since the 1950’s.

More details and photos for each of the projects are available by contacting Michelle Dunn, Program Coordinator, by calling 724-836-4121 x113 or sending email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.

(Photo: 8th Police District Advisory Council, Philadelphia Project.)

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[Posted: December 19, 2019]

12/23/2019