THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 29, 1995 TAG: 9501270231
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Chesapeake Rotarians are making plans for their fourth annual ``Paint Your Heart Out, Chesapeake'' project on April 22.
The project, in which volunteers paint and do other home-repair jobs at the homes of low-income and elderly residents, won the 1993 Governor's Award for Volunteering Excellence.
Robert F. Ripley brought the idea to Chesapeake after seeing a similar Rotary Club project in Lakeland, Fla. At a recent meeting of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Chesapeake Division, Ripley was commended for his contribution to improving life in Chesapeake.
``It's amazing at the number of people who want to help someone. And it's a great day for Chesapeake,'' said Ripley. ``It shows we're a city of giving and love.''
Ripley opened Robert F. Ripley Real Estate Office in 1946. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1978 and ``Rotarian of the Year'' in 1992.
Nancy J. Cross, president of Cahoon & Cross Marketing Consultants, is this year's project chairperson.
Jeanette Whitfield, project coordinator since the first year, will manage and coordinate the event.
Harry Blevins, Robert Ripley, Mary Darden, Lewis Witt, Greg Hanson, Dick Bauer and Walt Eley compose the 1995 guidance committee.
``Last year over 1,000 volunteers, corporate sponsors, donors, city workers, military groups, civic organizations, businesses and Rotary members gave their time, energy and resources to help our community by helping 25 homeowners.'' Cross said. ``In return, our lives were really touched.''
Again this year, houses of about 25 Chesapeake homeowners will be treated to a day of paint and repairs by volunteer work teams.
The one-day civic project was originally meant to supply a new coat of exterior house paint for low-income elderly homeowners. It has now grown to include interior paint and needed home repairs, such as replacing torn screens, broken steps, rotten floors, installing guard rails and patching leaky roofs.
To be eligible for help, a homeowner must live in the house to be painted, have an annual income not to exceed $12,000 and be 62 years or older. Handicapped homeowners or homeowners with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the age guideline will also be considered.
The selection committee is seeking names for this year's paint day. To recommend a house, send a letter to ``Paint Your Heart Out, Chesapeake,'' P.O. Box 15595, Chesapeake, Va. 23328 or call 436-0293.
Among the needs are repair teams for exterior house work, professional painters to guide volunteers and pressure washers. Volunteers, sponsors and donors of services or supplies can call the project office. by CNB