Local 2209 Paint A Thon 2008

UAW/GM FWA

July 30th 2008 Fort Wayne-

The home of Victor Scruggs in the 1700 block of Winter Street just got a fresh coat of paint and looks a little brighter since late July.

On Wednesday July 30th over 20 volunteers working with the Paint A Thon program administrated through Lutheran Social Services took on the project of painting Victor's house. "I had to visit with Lutheran Social Services, fill out paperwork and prove I had the need for this work to be done and that was a couple of years ago" Victor told us. "I think the team they sent out did a wonderful job, I am very happy with the work that was done by these fine people" he continued. The team that painted Victor's house was made up of hourly and salaried team members from the GM Fort Wayne Assembly plant. They took a day away from building trucks to help a member of the community. UAW Local 2209's Community Services Committee and General Motors FWA have supported this program, donating supplies and labor each year since the program began in 1989.

"This is a great program that gives back to the community, we do the work but the paint and the houses that need painting are all set up through Lutheran Social Services of Fort Wayne" stated Jannie Burkhamer UAW Local 2209 Community Services Committee Chairperson.

Volunteer coordinators at Lutheran Social Services of Indiana have an application process that all homeowners have to go through. All recipients are low income seniors or handicapped. They also have to live in and own their home and they cannot physically or financially paint it themselves. Most people's homes that get painted are brought to the attention of the program coordinators by neighborhood association members who know who has a need like this in their specific area of town.

Local businesses and civic groups have been supporting this program with monetary gifts and volunteers since its inception 1989. Some 13,000 (thirteen thousand) volunteers have painted over 544 homes to date.

General Motors and their Union Partners UAW Local 2209 are no exception. They have been working with this program from the start. "We know there is a need in our community and we are proud to help all the people we have helped over the years. This program makes everyone feel good, the volunteers are happy and the homeowner loves it, that's just a great community program" Jannie Burkhamer stated.

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