SMIF Awards Paint to RNeighbors
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Awards Free Paint Throughout Southern Minnesota
For the 13th year, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) awarded free paint to local organizations through their annual ‘Picture It Painted’ (PIP) program. This year approximately $13,500 worth of free paint is helping to beautify communities across the 20-county region. PIP, a partnership between SMIF and Valspar Corporation, is designed to support collaborative community beautification and restoration projects and encourage volunteerism throughout southern Minnesota.
“Picture it Painted reminds us of how much collaboration shapes and improves our communities and neighborhoods,” noted Tim Penny, SMIF President/CEO. “The projects are a way to get more people involved in their communities,” he added. “We congratulate all of the new PIP recipients and we look forward to other partnerships during the coming years.”
This year 17 community organizations will receive approximately 543 gallons of free paint. They include the Cannon Valley Fair Association for a grandstand renovation in Cannon Falls; the Fillmore Central Community Education for ‘One Block at a Time’ child care center murals in Preston; the City of Zumbrota for a historic covered bridge; the History Center of Olmsted County for historical buildings; KEE Town and Country Centre for a historic building in Kiester; Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce for depot beautification; Le Sueur County Historical Society for site beautification; Mower County Historical Society for historical buildings in Austin and Grand Meadow; Presentation College & MN West Community and Technical College of Fairmont for a mural in the commons area; Southern Minnesota YFC’s Prairie River Camp in Bricelyn for a bunkhouse/lodge; Red Wing School District/Early Childhood Initiative for a community garden mural; Riverland Community College in Owatonna for a partnership mural with Steele County Corrections; ‘RNeighbors’ Rochester Neighborhood Resource Center for street murals; Good Shepherd Childcare Center in Rushford for interior walls; Spring Valley Community Historical Society for the ‘Washburn Workshop,’ a Laura Ingalls Wilder site; University of Minnesota-Extension Service’s 4-H Youth Development in Waseca for 4-H building beautification; and Winona O.R.C. Industries (a workplace for people with disabilities) for the employee entrance and an interior wall.
PIP targets collaborative efforts that are advancing economic development, community branding, early childhood education, or engaging elders, youth or new immigrants.
To learn more about The Foundation’s work visit www.smifoundation.org.
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