Area volunteers pitch in

to paint local homes

Volunteers with NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources are picking up paint brushes and setting aside free time to help area residents maintain the value and livability of their homes.

Using primer and paint donated by South Dakota Housing Development Authority, volunteers are repainting homes that belong to people who are physically or financially unable to handle the project themselves. The NeighborWorks groups are painting two houses in Rapid City and one each in Edgemont, Sturgis, Box Elder, Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead and Central City.

The Black Hills project is part of the 15th annual Paint-South Dakota, a statewide program sponsored by SDHDA to help homeowners in need, to revitalize their homes and help maintain the quality of life in their communities. In all, 14 organizations are painting 22 houses in 20 South Dakota towns, including Roslyn, Centerville, Hoven, Beresford, Doland, Watertown, Lennox, Frankfort, Tripp, Parkston, Redfield, Reliance Elder and Winner. 

Just a few of the groups volunteering with NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources are  from Northern Hills Federal Credit Union, First Interstate Bank, Bank West, Ketel Thortenson, TDG Communications, Ellsworth AF, Rapid City Police Dept.,  and local resident volunteers for all the towns involved.  “Partnerships and volunteers are what make Paint the Town such a successful event.  People and organizations giving back to the community is what this is all about,” stated Sharon Martinisko, NWDHR Community Outreach and Education Coordinator.  “None of this would happen without all the community support!”

Under the program, homes must be single-family, owner-occupied dwellings in need of fresh exterior paint. 

"For homeowners, a new coat of paint means a great deal. It protects the house from weather, maintains its appearance and improves the quality of their neighborhood. However, this can be tough to do if you are disabled or on a fixed income," said Mark Lauseng, Executive Director of SDHDA. "Paint-South Dakota is a great way for these residents to stay in their homes and remain independent. We applaud the volunteers who donate their time to help make sure this happens."