Sturgis Paint the Town

The 18th annual Paint the Town took place this week throughout the Black Hills communities, bringing in more than 300 volunteers to help paint residents’ houses. For Sturgis, more than 30 volunteers from businesses throughout the community came together to paint the home of Jose and Jesse Arguello.

Homeowner Katie Arguello said she heard about the opportunity over the radio and decided to apply for it.

“I think it’s marvelous that so many people are willing to help,” she said. “It’s a wonderful organization. They’re such wonderful people I can’t hardly believe it. It’s going to be very nice when it’s done. These are very hardworking people.”

According to Community Outreach and Education Coordinator Sharon Martinisko, NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources, who hosts the Paint the Town event, also has paintbrush sponsors who simply donate money for supplies. Deadwood Gulch, First National Bank, First Interstate Bank in Lead-Deadwood, and Wells Fargo in Spearfish were some of this year’s paintbrush sponsors. NeighborWorks America and South Dakota Housing Development Authority were also sponsors.

“It’s really cool that so many people come to help,” Martinisko said.

According to Cindy Griffin with Northern Hills Federal Credit Union, the bank, as well as Wells Fargo, has been helping with Paint the Town since day one and the many projects has resulted in many memories, and even some near accidents.

“It’s really rewarding,” Griffin said, adding that they are often able to maintain the relationships with the homeowners even after the house is painted.

“It’s a good community project and it really makes a small community nice,” Wells Fargo President Paul Bisson said. “You don’t see this in big communities.”

Larry Griffin has been helping for five years and now, thanks to his dedication, sits on the board of directors for NeighborWorks and was nominated for the Dorothy Richardson Award as recognition for his volunteerism and community involvement. This is his second year on the board of directors.

“This is what I enjoy doing,” Larry said. “Getting out and doing the work. It’s a lot of fun and you make a lot of friends. We’re helping people who don’t have the means to do the work.”

Larry said he often sees past homeowners who they have helped in the store and they will stop and talk to him, carrying on those relationships past the completion of the project.