Harry Hampel, executive director of Housing Partnership of Northeast Florida; Wight Greger, director of the City’s Housing and Neighborhoods Department; and City Council member Johnny Gaffney all participated in Thursday’s “Community VIP Day” for volunteers of the 2009 Paint the Town campaign.
More than 800 volunteers participated in the week-long event, which improved the interiors of 31 homes in need of extreme repair within the East 21st Street neighborhood. It’s the 16th such “Paint the Town” event, with this year’s project funded through $1.25 million appropriated through the City’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership. But it took the work of the volunteers to help get the mission accomplished.
“When I see the enthusiasm on these people’s faces who help, that’s what pleases me,” said Gaffney, who represents the district. “It shows the people here that they’re loved.”