Painting supplies needed for April Paint-A-Thon

FORT MADISON - As we embark on the eighth annual Fort Madison Paint-A-Thon, we are excited to announce that this year’s event will tackle four new homes.
This year's event is set for April 28-May 2.
It’s been an incredible journey, and we’ve learned so much along the way! What began as a modest initiative to paint two homes—one that met the guidelines, and another that, from the road, seemed like a manageable "small" story and a half—quickly proved to be more of a challenge than we anticipated. It wasn’t until we got up close that we realized just how much work was involved. However, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our volunteers, we were able to complete the job to the best of our abilities.
With the continued support of our Premier partners—Kempkers True Value & Rental and Community Action of Southeast Iowa—we have gained valuable insights into how we can improve each year. The event has grown steadily, and we’re proud of the work we’ve accomplished together.
More Than Just Painting
While the primary goal of the Paint-A-Thon is to refresh homes with a fresh coat of paint, our volunteers go above and beyond. In addition to painting, many volunteers also lend their green thumbs to the project, taking on yard work such as mulching and planting. Each year, we’ve expanded the scope of our landscaping efforts to help complete the transformation of homes.
We’ve put out a call to the public: if you have plants that need to be divided, please consider donating them to our cause. These donations not only save event funds but also add a personal touch to the homes, creating a beautiful, inviting environment that enhances the homeowners' pride in both their property and their community.
Another crucial aspect of the Paint-A-Thon is cleaning up the yard. Some of the homes we work on require a fair amount of debris removal—whether it's old furniture, overgrown brush, or just general clutter. Volunteers help haul truckloads of trash to the dump, turning what was once overwhelming into a manageable, clean space.
How You Can Help
There are several ways the community can support this year’s event. If you’re unable to volunteer but still want to contribute, we need painting supplies. Items such as paint trays, liners, rollers (8” or 4”), 2” or 3” trim brushes, and 3” paint brushes can be purchased at local stores and donated. All donations can be dropped off at the Chamber office, located at 614 7th Street.
If you’re interested in volunteering for the 2025 Paint-A-Thon, please reach out via email to tgobble@leecountyedg.com for more information.
Thank You to Our Sponsors. We would like to extend a special thank you to this year’s sponsors, whose generous support, both monetary and in-kind, help offset the costs of this event: Partner Sponsors: Climax Molybdenum, Koch Fertilizer, Schickedanz Construction, Jess Sutcliffe State Farm Insurance, Two Rivers Bank & Trust, Siemens Gamesa, Silgan Container.  Also to our Community Sponsors: Connection Bank, KLM Realty, World Insurance, Fraise Auction & Realty, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, PaperPak, Huffman Farm & Home, Holtkamp Floors, Décor & Furniture, Meller Excavating, Jim Baier, Inc., Farmers Savings Bank, Farm & Home Supply, Madalyn Gronewald- Country Financial, & JJD Contracting.
These sponsors play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the Paint-A-Thon, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support.
The event is proudly organized by the Fort Madison Beautification Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with valuable assistance from the Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce.