Tampa, Fla. – Hundreds of volunteers from around the Tampa Bay area will help staff and friends of University Area CDC (Community Development Corporation) improve the community during its eleventh annual Paint the Town event on Saturday, Jan. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University Area Community Park at 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa, 33613.
Paint the Town, an event held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will bring together community residents as they roll up their sleeves and invest sweat equity into cleaning and beautifying neighborhoods in the University Area, concentrating on the zip code areas of 33612 and 33613.
Many seniors, single moms, veterans and disabled residents throughout the area have difficulty maintaining their homes due to physical and financial constraints. Volunteers participating in this Paint the Town activity will paint and/or repair houses for select residents, revitalizing the neighborhood in which they live. In addition, volunteers and staff will clean up streets and roads in the area.
The University Area CDC partners with businesses, government agencies, religious groups, student organizations and service clubs to make this event happen. Besides painting, projects may include mowing yards, laying sod, landscaping, planting flowers, repairing fences, cleaning up litter, repairing doors and windows, etc.
After the work is done, volunteers will celebrate with a complimentary light lunch, music and community camaraderie.
Additionally, 300 pairs of sneakers will be given away on a first come, first served basis, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Harvest Hope Park, 13704 N. 20th Street. This distribution is made possible by a partnership with University Area CDC, Samaritan’s Feet and Elevation Church.
Paint the Town impacts the entire community by restoring neighborhood pride, increasing property values, and bringing community members together. More information is available by contacting Sara Roman at 813.558.5212 x 316 or sroman@uacdc.org.
Serving the community for 23 years, University Area CDC provides support for thousands of Tampa residents through holistic programming, adult education and resource assistance. Its primary mission is the redevelopment and sustainability of at-risk neighborhoods in the Uptown/University area, surrounding University of South Florida’s Tampa campus. More information about University Area CDC, a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership, is available by calling 813.558.5212 and by visiting uacdc.org.