Painters Plus Home Decorating Inc., city officials team up for fifth annual Project HOPE

North Tonawanda Mayor Arthur G. Pappas announced another city resident will experience an exterior paint makeover this summer.

Pappas and Jesse Gooch, proprietor of Painters Plus, announced the fifth annual Project HOPE ("Helping Others Paint Exteriors"), a citywide contest for an extensive home makeover, will take place on the weekend of Aug. 8 (with a rain date of Aug. 22).

For the fifth year in a row, Gooch will team up with Pappas and other city officials to assist with the project. In addition, members of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas and local businesses will support the event.

"It has always been my passion to help people and to make a difference in my community," Gooch said, noting that a desire to prevent the onset of blight in North Tonawanda is at the heart of Project HOPE. "During these tough economic times, it has been a struggle for people to maintain or improve their homes. I have seen many homes in the area that have loose and peeling paint, dingy colors and rotted siding."

Over the past four years, Project HOPE has been a huge success with helping out local property owners who live in the city. In addition, Project HOPE has worked with SERV Niagara to benefit a veteran with a home makeover in Lockport.

"My question is, 'Are these people neglecting their homes or do they want to improve their homes, but don't have the physical or financial means?' " Gooch said. "I believe that, in many cases, it's not neglect. And that's what drove me to start and continue with the Painters Plus Project."

The winner of Project HOPE will have his or her home pressure-washed, primed and painted by the Painters Plus team and volunteers. Gooch plans to select a person or family who is either disabled, elderly, suffering financial hardships or a disabled veteran.

Pappas said, "I am excited to be a part of this project for the fifth year of its existence. I can't thank Jesse and Painter's Plus enough for their investment in our city. For the past four years, Project HOPE has helped change homes, neighborhoods and lives. I am sure this year will be no different."

The paint for Project HOPE will be provided by Sherwin Williams, located on Meadow Drive in North Tonawanda, and a local restaurant will provide lunch food for the volunteers.

Applications for Project HOPE may be submitted three ways:

•Online at www.PaintersPlus.US.

•Mail a letter to Painters Plus at 800 Walck Road, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.

•Pick up an application at City Hall or the Chamber of Commerce office.

Applicants are asked to introduce themselves, explain their particular hardship situation and provide pictures of their house in a short paragraph. They are also asked to provide their name, address and a telephone number they can be reached at. Photos will not be returned.

The deadline for application submissions will be Friday, July 17.

Additional information is available at 716-693-PLUS (7587) or by email at [email protected].