Brush Up Buffalo to Paint West Side in 2007

Brush Up Buffalo, a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization focused on revitalizing City of Buffalo neighborhoods, announced this morning at a kick-off breakfast that it will paint about 10 low-income homes in the West Side for Brush Up Buffalo 2007. The annual event will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2007 along Plymouth Avenue, Hudson Street and surrounding streets.

Brush Up Buffalo will work with Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. as part of the ongoing "Plymouth Avenue Reclamation Project." During the breakfast, leaders also announced the call for more than 700 volunteers to sign up for this year’s event.

"This is the first time in Brush Up Buffalo’s 11-year history that we’re coming to the West Side," said Roseann Scibilia, president of Brush Up Buffalo. "The neighborhood we’re painting is a true gem – it’s a mixed income street with some houses in good shape and others needing some love. Our goal is to see entire streets transformed."

"This year’s Brush Up Buffalo is going to be a little different from previous years," said Tracey Drury, Brush Up Buffalo vice president and team development subcommittee chairperson. "Usually we paint smaller homes – but we have a great opportunity to focus on some larger dwellings, particularly along Plymouth Avenue. So that will mean more teams of people to each house, which will really bolster a spirit of community. We also will ‘brush up’ the area in the fullest sense of the phrase, helping with trash pickup, gardening and trim work. It’s going to be a special year both for our volunteer and the homeowners we’ll be helping."

Brush Up Buffalo continues to look for corporate sponsors to defray the cost of paint, supplies, insurance and food. More information is available by calling 716-250-3353 or e-mailing sponsors@brushupbuffalo.org.

In addition, Brush Up Buffalo encourages teams of volunteers to register for the event during April and May by signing up online at the organization’s Web site, www.brushupbuffalo.org.

Since its inception in 1996, Brush Up Buffalo volunteers have revitalized 10 neighborhoods in the City of Buffalo, painting more than 200 homes altogether. Last year, in approximately five hours, more than 600 volunteers painted 18 homes in the Lovejoy District.

About Brush Up Buffalo
Brush Up Buffalo is a not for profit organization that utilizes community-minded volunteers and donated supplies to help low-income families in the City of Buffalo spruce up their homes and revitalize their neighborhoods. Each year, the one-day event attracts teams from businesses, unions, community groups, and city and county government who work together to "brush up" Buffalo homes. Since its inception in 1996, Brush Up Buffalo volunteers have painted more than 200 homes. For more information, visit Brush Up Buffalo online at www.brushupbuffalo.org.