Paint cans, brushes and 200 volunteers will line the University of Idaho Library at 9 a.m. Saturday for UI’s annual “Paint the Palouse” event.
“This is a great opportunity to see the community come together,” said Rachelle Ausman, food and labor committee member. “We all receive identical shirts and are all united as a team.”
Einstein’s Bagels will provide breakfast, while the UI Food Nutrition Club and Food Science Club will supply chili, bread and desserts for lunch.
“Last year, we did ‘Paint the Palouse’ at the beginning of the fall semester,” Ausman said. “It was awesome to see the freshmen who were unfamiliar with the campus bond with students in their painting groups. I’m excited to see how students interact this year.”
Luci Sanchez, “Paint the Palouse” coordinator, said she had an interesting experience planning the event.
“I’ve never really participated in this program before,” Sanchez said. “I have not had as much guidance as previous coordinators.”
Despite lack of direction, Sanchez said she created four committees with specific jobs to plan the event — advertisement, house liaison, labor and food, and financing.
“(The advertisement committee) decorated the residence halls, Greek houses, the Commons and the SUB with flyers and sign-up sheets for any interested students to get involved,” Sanchez said. “The house liaison committee selects eligible homeowners with financial need or who are physically unable to re-paint their house. The food committee deals with meals to be provided and the financing committee calculates the money needed for supplies.”
To prep the houses for a new coat of paint, the UI housing painting department will wash the exteriors of houses. This year, the group will have three houses to paint. Those who wished to be more involved were invited to apply to be house managers, who are responsible for dividing volunteers into three groups.
“‘Paint the Palouse’ is funded by many organizations,” Sanchez said. “RHA provides funds for the paint, residences halls and Greek houses donate and we received a grant from National Association of College and University Residence Halls.”
The event is expected to end around noon.
“Traditionally, different organizations and clubs participate to fulfill a volunteer requirement they need,” Ausman said. “We see community members joining in as well as UI staff and faculty members. It’s an enriching experience. We can only hope for good weather this year.”
Amy Asanuma can be reached at [email protected]