Jill Powell said not everyone is able to fix up their home, and that’s why University of Idaho students have taken the lead.
“To be qualified to get your house painted, you have to be needy to some degree,” said Powell, assistant director of student engagement for University Housing. “Students who come out to paint walk away with a sense of purpose — that they really did make a difference for someone.”
The 25th annual Paint the Palouse will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, on the Theophilus Tower lawn. The community service program rounds up volunteers to paint the homes of those who are unable to to do it themselves — often times because of financial, health or age barriers.
University Housing and the National Residence Hall Honorary fund the annual service project.
Powell, who has advised the program for two years, said although the turnout has been largely residence hall students in the past, many Greek organizations and off-campus students are expected to partake in the project.
“It’s become kind of a tradition here on campus that we’re trying to represent and continue,” Powell said. “Not just for residence hall students, we’ve been promoting to each living group and have received some positive feedback. We anticipate success.”
She said each year community businesses contribute to the project.
This year, Powell said they’ve received significant sponsorship and support from Sherwin Williams, TShirts Inc. and Vandals Dining.
Victoria Slichter, area assistant for student success for University Housing, said while she put a lot of time and effort into planning the event, this year marks her first time participating.
“I will mostly be running around with (Powell) but I still hope to do at least a little bit of painting,” she said. “But I think it will be good for me to see all the hard work everyone is doing.”
Although the event officially beings at 8 a.m., Slichter said the event is organized by sending “waves” of students to the houses, and those who show up any time before 11 a.m. should still be able to join in.
“There will also be food at each of the painting locations,” Slichter said. “So it will be a very comfortable environment for students to volunteer in.”
In previous years, Paint the Palouse has varied between spring and late summer. But, Powell said the event is now only in September due to unexpected circumstances in springtime.
“We keep it in September because September has better weather and its usually quite a bit warmer,” Powell said. “When we had it in the spring in the past, we would have to change dates and times pending the weather, but now we’re trying to keep it in September.”
Powell said students should participate in Paint the Palouse because it’s a fun way to give back to the community and help those in need. She said at many of the previous events, the homeowners have come out of the home in the middle of a paint job to thank the volunteers for their hard work.
“That’s when it’s worth it,” she said.
Amber Emery can be reached at [email protected]