Residents of LaGrange have something to be proud of once again as volunteers will take paint brushes to houses around LaGrange May 29-June 3 for the sixth annual “Paint the Town.”

The annual drive to paint houses of homeowners who can’t afford or can’t physically do the work passed the 100-house mark last year.

Dependable Affordable Sustainable Housing for LaGrange Inc., which sponsors the event and celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, is using Paint the Town to renew its focus on the community.

“The whole reason behind this is community,” said Ben Wheeler, community liaison for DASH. “The painting really becomes secondary.”

Homeowners this year also were asked to sign a covenant, promising to do something to help while their house is being painted, if they are able. Homeowners always have been encouraged to help and interact with volunteers, but now it’s mandatory.

Wheeler said one family has already done the prep work of scraping old paint from their house to get it ready for a new coat. Another homeowner who is ill has a son who is helping out. A third family is having a cookout for the team of volunteers.

This event not only helps those in financial need but provides a service to the city by beautifying neighborhoods around LaGrange, giving these once-beautiful homes the facelifts they need.

Paint the Town was started after former LaGrange Councilman Frank Cox urged DASH to do something for homeowners in southeast LaGrange. DASH’s initial focus was revitalizing the Hillside neighborhood in southwest LaGrange. Through the process, DASH also realized there were many homeowners all around LaGrange who needed to repaint their houses or make repairs and were unable to do so.

Paint the Town now repaints houses all around LaGrange and DASH has begun other initiatives to help homeowners fix up their properties.

During the event, which is , sponsors pay for paint, T-shirts and lunches for volunteer crews. Volunteers provide brushes and ladders.

Wheeler said sponsors for the event are always needed. To help sponsor Paint the Town, call 706-298-0221.

Let’s show pride in our community by throwing our support this much-needed volunteer project.