BRUSH UP NEBRASKA PAINT-A-THON SEEKING HOMEOWNER APPLCATIONS

OMAHA , NE April 15, 2006 -- Project organizers announced today that applications are now available for the 18th Annual BRUSH UP NEBRASKA Paint-A-Thon.

Paint-A-Thon is designed to help homeowners who are over 62 or permanently disabled at any age, and who live in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties. Applicants must meet financial guidelines listed on the official application.

An independent Selection Committee made up of professionals from housing and human services identifies the homeowners who are qualified, and who will have their homes painted. Homeowners selected will have their homes painted at no cost. Volunteers paint the outside of selected homes in August of each year. Paint Day this year is Saturday, August 21.

Applications are available at any Wells Fargo Bank or by calling 211 or First Call For Help at 444-6666. Applications must be returned by June 7.

Paint-A-Thon was established in 1989 as a “Community Partnership” to spearhead a community-wide effort to paint the homes of older adults and disabled homeowners who are unable to either physically or financially paint their homes. Since the program’s inception, volunteer teams have painted 1,925 homes. The goal for 2006 is to paint 110 homes with the help of over 4,000 volunteers.

BRUSH UP NEBRASKA Paint-A-Thon is made possible through the financial support of Barnhart Press, ConAgra Foods, Convergys, Diamond Vogel Paints, First Data, HSBC, Jefferson Pilot Financial, Krispy Kreme, Lozier Foundation, Mutual of Omaha Companies, Northern Border Partners, Northern Natural Gas, PayPal an EBay, CompanyUnion Pacific Railroad, Wells Fargo. An additional 130 companies, businesses and individuals donate materials and provide support to the volunteer teams.

We have some very happy homeowners from last year’s program - if you want interviews please call. 965-9169.