Volunteers needed for Brush Up Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Brush Up Buffalo urgently needs at least 200 more volunteers for its annual event on Saturday.

The organization rescheduled its original event date - June 20 - due to heavy rain. The postponement, unfortunately resulted in a loss of more than half its volunteer base for June 27, and more volunteers are needed to ensure that the organization can repaint 18 homes in the University District. All properties were previously powerwashed before the event to loosen paint chips, so the homeowners now need a fresh coat of paint more than ever.

For more info on how to volunteer, visit BrushUpBuffalo.org or call 250-3353.

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Brush Up Buffalo, a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization focused on revitalizing City of Buffalo neighborhoods,  will paint 12 to 15 low-income homes in the University District for Brush Up Buffalo 2009. The annual event, previously scheduled on June 20th, will now take place on Saturday, June 27, 2009.

During a kickoff event at the University at Buffalo South Campus, Brush Up Buffalo President Roseann Scibilia says 500 volunteers are needed to sign up for this year’s event, as well as the need for $5,000 in additional sponsorship funding to defray the cost of supplies and insurance.

“We are ready to paint a dozen homes, but would like to paint 15,” she said. “With more sponsorship dollars, we can help more homeowners and further beautify the neighborhood.”

The University at Buffalo announced the launch of its first annual UB Community Day at the kickoff and has chosen Brush Up Buffalo as its community partner. As part of the collaboration, the University at Buffalo will be a key sponsor for Brush Up Buffalo 2009, providing funding, onsite staging, and logistical support.

“The University at Buffalo’s mission includes service and this annual event will mobilize UB employees, students and alumni in service to our region,” said Vincent Clark, director of community relations, University at Buffalo. “We selected Brush Up Buffalo as this year’s partner because of their outstanding track record of providing a strong positive impact on City of Buffalo neighborhoods. By partnering with them, UB is reaching others who need help the most—one house at a time.”

Targeted avenues for Brush Up Buffalo 2009 include Winspear, Highgate, Lisbon, Dartmouth, and Shirley.

More than 235 homes have been painted in the City of Buffalo since Brush Up Buffalo’s inception in 1996. This year marks the organization’s 13th event. Last year, in approximately five hours, more than 600 volunteers painted 15 homes in the Lovejoy neighborhood, near the reconstruction of Buffalo Public School #43 Lovejoy Discovery School.