The Bucket Brigade, co-sponsored by Pride, Inc., The Telegraph and Brod-Dugan/Sherwin Williams has been painting homes for area residents since 1988. The program matches volunteer teams with homeowners who are no longer able to maintain their homes without assistance. In order to qualify for the program, homes must be one-story, owner-occupied residences. Most of the homeowners that benefit from this program are seniors who simply cannot handle such a huge job alone. Other recipients are those with physical or financial limitations that prevent them from doing the work. Volunteer teams complete the painting at no cost to the homeowner.
Our exclusive paint supplier is Brod-Dugan/Sherwin Williams. They donate the first 300 gallons of paint, then sell the remaining 500-800 gallons to us at cost. A company representative visits each homeowner to measure the job and discuss color options. Obviously, we could not provide this program without their ongoing support. Other significant partners are the Alton Foundation, Alton Woman's Home Association, Boeing Employees Charitable Fund, State Farm Insurance Company and Castelli's Restaurant at 255.
Dale Neudecker, a Pride, Inc. Board member created the Bucket Brigade project in 1988. That first year his volunteer teams painted 23 homes. In 30 years, the project has grown to over 50 volunteer teams who have painted more than 1,500 homes in Riverbend communities.
The Bucket Brigade Committee visits each nominated home to evaluate its qualification for the program. To nominate a home, please download the form at www.prideincorporated.org.