Teams are forming for the seventh annual Wells Fargo Rock and Roll Paint-a-Thon. Families, businesses, churches, schools and social service and civic groups are encouraged to sign-up.

The City of Apache Junction has teamed up with Rebuilding Together, Valley of the Sun for the seventh year to participate in the state-wide effort offer this service to eligible homeowners and encourage community philanthropy.

“It was a great opportunity to spend the day outside with a wide range of volunteers all working together to change a house back into a home,” volunteer Patty Cockrill said.

New this year, any employer, club, church group, nonprofit organization or other affiliation that provides volunteers can hang a banner at the home site.

Teams consist of 20-25 people and can be a great team, morale and community building exercise, but individuals are also welcome. The event engages more than 3,000 volunteers annually. Volunteers are asked to bring only their enthusiasm and skill and work from 7-12 a.m. Saturday, October 23, 2010. Participants must be 14 and older and have parental consent. All participants receive a free t-shirt, water and lunch.

Applications are available if you are interested in having your house painted. Qualified homeowners must have limited financial resources, a single-family, single story residence and be 60 years of age or older and/or have a permanent disability. Condos, town homes, duplexes or mobile homes, and multi story homes are not eligible.

Since 2004, the program has painted the homes of 640 less fortunate homeowners and 8 large nonprofit facilities across the Valley, including 15 residences in Apache Junction. Without this event, many elderly and disabled citizens are not able to spruce up their homes.

The cost of paint can be $300-$400 alone and with labor can be upwards of $3,000. Necessary equipment will be available but limited, so participants are encouraged to bring ladders, paint brushes, etc. if able.

Homeowner applications can be downloaded at www.ajcity.net/housing and mailed to: Rebuilding Together (Valley of the Sun)
2123 S. Priest Drive, Suite 213
Tempe, AZ 85282

Local sponsorship of the 2010 Paint-a-Thon is provided by Frontier Ace Hardware. Questions or volunteer inquiries please contact Heather Patel at 480-474-2635 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it