Community Paint-A-Thon looking for homeowners in need of a hand

Organizers for the Community Paint-A-Thon are looking for houses and homeowners who could use a helping hand.

The 34th annual event, in which volunteers paint single-family houses at no cost to the homeowner, will take place Sept. 11 but applications are due June 15.

"We're not professionals, but we have some really experienced volunteers who do a really good job, and it's free," said Barbara Beckman, executive director at Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley.

To qualify, the house must be owner-occupied by people with limited financial resources. The owner must be at least 60 years old, have a permanent disability or be a veteran of any age. Current homeowners insurance is also required.

Once a house is determined to be eligible, it will be matched with a team of five to 10 volunteers who will scrape, prime and paint the exterior.

The Paint-A-Thon covers 10 townships, including Barrington, Elk Grove, Hanover, Maine, New Trier, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Schaumburg and Wheeling.

Habitat partners with Catholic Charities, the 10 involved townships and HandsOn Suburban Chicago to match the volunteers with homeowners in need of help.

"It really is a community event," Beckman said. Volunteers come as individuals or from civic groups, businesses, churches or schools.

People interested in volunteering should contact Donnie Graham at HandsOn Suburban Chicago at donnie@handsonsuburbanchicago.org or (847) 228-1320, ext. 104.

Beckman said they'll take on the whole house, garage or only tackle smaller jobs such as trim. The group usually paints about 25 to 30 houses per year. The pandemic limited them to nine last year.

Interested homeowners should contact Catholic Charities at (847) 253-5500 for an application or more information.