Buffalo, NY – May 22, 2009 – Brush Up Buffalo, a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization focused on revitalizing City of Buffalo neighborhoods, announced today that it will paint 12 to 15 low-income homes in the University District for Brush Up Buffalo 2009. The annual event will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2009.

During a kickoff event at the University at Buffalo South Campus, Brush Up Buffalo President Roseann Scibilia announced the call for 500 volunteers 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 also 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.

Valspar will donate 75 five-gallon cans of paint for the event.  Sponsors to date at the House Sponsor level ($2,500) include Bank of America, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #4, John W. Danforth Company, LPCiminelli, and the Painting and Decorating Contractors of Buffalo.  Additional sponsors and in-kind donors include M&T Bank, Tops Friendly Markets, First Niagara Bank, Harter Secrest & Emery, Malcolm Pirnie, and UPS.

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. For more information, visit www.brushupbuffalo.org or call (716) 250-3353.