Program helps ‘revitalize the face of the community’
Ramshackle buildings and homes left to languish in communities across Oklahoma could get a facelift this fall, thanks to the Fresh Paint Days program sponsored by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful.
For groups looking to revitalize the face of their communities, Fresh Paint Days is a free program available to any community in Oklahoma.
“This program has long-lasting benefits for our community, I mean really, it is helping revitalize the face of the community,” said Natalie Evans, projects coordinator for Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. “That can mean a lot, especially in smaller communities that don’t have much funding as part of their budget for general infrastructure upkeep of their buildings.”
Founded in 2005, Fresh Paint Days was created in collaboration with Oklahoma City-Based H-I-S Coatings. The program hinges on the collection and recycling of excess paint, Evans said. H-I-S Paint collects leftover paint throughout the course of a year, and in giving this excess paint to communities, this paint is removed from waste collection. This creative solution not only provides H-I-S an opportunity to repurpose surplus paint, but benefits communities in need of a face-lift.
H-I-S Paint has donated thousands of gallons of paint in the 12 years the program has existed.
“For the past 12 years, we’ve been a proud partner of the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Fresh Paint Days program, providing roughly 11,000 gallons of paint to help communities throughout Oklahoma fill budget gaps,” said Joe Cox, founder and owner of H-I-S Coatings.
“These people, you’d think that you gave them a new building. It’s such a gratifying experience for me. We don’t turn anybody down,” Cox said in an April interview.
Groups, communities or individuals are selected through an application process. Once chosen, designees are provided a stipend for supplies, sponsored by the Public Service Co. of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
In 2016, 49 community structures were restored in 38 communities, with participation in 29 counties.
Applications opened June 1 and close July 31. Paint is delivered in late August, and projects are completed throughout the month of September.
After completion of a paint project, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful conducts the Communities Primed for Change contest, which is based on before and after photos.
In 2016, Cheyenne (Oklahoma) High School Business Professionals of America organization won the contest, earning a $1,000 cash prize.
Go to www. keepoklahomabeautiful.com to download an application.