EarthPaint marks 10 years with rare Halloween decoration giveaway

EarthPaint is helping homeowners get a hold of rare Halloween yard decorations as spooky season arrives.

"We've always been about upgrading environments, whether it's the inside of a park district facility or the exterior of someone's home," says founder Chris McCarthy.

"Usually that's done with our recycled paint, but we were lucky enough to get some highly sought-after Halloween decorations that are helping us fundraise during our 10th anniversary."

The Wood Dale-based nonprofit was founded in 2013 with the purpose of helping homeowners get rid of their loads of unwanted paint.

It has evolved to incorporate a dual mission of cleaning up the dirty paint industry and serving its community at the same time by employing disabled adults. Coincidentally, EarthPaint opened its doors on Oct. 31, 2013 and has become known for decorating its storefront for the season.

McCarthy hopes to raise $25,000 through raffle ticket sales toward the cache of rare Halloween yard decorations, which are largely sold out at stores across the Chicago area, he says.

Consumers can visit earthpaint.org/halloweenraffle to buy tickets towards a 12-foot winged demon, a 12-foot skeleton and other items.

Tickets for the demon, which retails for nearly $350, cost $20, while tickets for the skeleton, which sells for about $300, are $2.

Tickets are sold through Oct. 8.

"This is a great way for people to support our work and our employment program, while giving their yards an upgrade this Halloween," McCarthy says.

EarthPaint collects unwanted paint and turns it into something great: a recycled paint product that's just as good as the name brands - because it's made with the name brands - at a fraction of the price.

Consumers can bring their old paint to more than 150 Ace Hardware and True Value locations across the region. For prices and locations, visit earthpaint.org.

"Most people don't know you can recycle paint. They think it can be tossed in the trash, but that only perpetuates the problem," McCarthy says. "We call it Paint with Purpose, and when we're able to tell people about the problem, we can empower them to make better choices."