Fresh Paint Days
Coal Cracker Kids is scheduled to receive a fresh coat of exterior paint on Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10, from 9 am to 5 pm, at its new headquarters, the former Mahanoy City Lumber and Supply Company at 435 West Centre Street in Mahanoy City.
The event is funded in part by a grant provided by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, BEHR, and The Home Depot through Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania Program.
The program is designed to provide community groups with paint and painting supplies enabling them to renew a community structure in need into something beautiful through the application of fresh paint and a lot of elbow grease.
Coal Cracker Kids is a 501(c)(3) public charity with a mission to empower young people of Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region through youth-led projects that explore sense of place and promote professional development. Since 2014, it has published Coal Cracker Youth-led News, a quarterly print & online media outlet for young people ages 12 though 18.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer help is needed throughout the Fresh Paint Days weekend September 9 and 10. People of all ages are welcome to participate by sharing skills like sanding, scraping, painting, and basic carpentry. Gifts of funding or refreshments are also needed to support the project.
Download the Fresh Paint Days Registration Form.
Painting supplies will be provided. Street parking is available near the painting site, but volunteers should be mindful of neighbors and local businesses.
Interested Fresh Paint Days volunteers should register with Coal Cracker Kids prior to September 9 and 10 by downloading the registration form and emailing the completed version to us, or calling 570-647-6407.
In case of rain on the event weekend, Coal Cracker Kids Fresh Paint Days will be moved to the following weekend, September 16 and 17.
“We are so grateful for this opportunity to improve our building and to make an immediate visual difference in our neighborhood,” says Krista Gromalski, President of Coal Cracker Kids. “The way a community looks is a reflection of its pride. A community that is well cared for provides a safer environment, offers a better quality of life and inspires residents to participate in community life.”
Since taking ownership of the Mahanoy City Lumber and Supply Company in January 2017, the self-initiated clean-up efforts of Coal Cracker Kids’ young participants have included removal of tarps from the front windows; installment of large, colorful hand-made signs; removal of trash and debris from the building’s interior; and cleaning and organizing their office space.
Fresh Paint Makes a Difference
“At BEHR, we believe in doing the right thing and we’re on a mission to make a difference in the communities where we reside,” said Drew Hatcher, Contract Management Director at Behr Paint. “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is an amazing organization and everyone in the community is enriched by their Fresh Paint Days efforts. We are proud to once again be partnering with them to help beautify communities across the state.”
“Through our partnership with BEHR and The Home Depot, Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania empowers community groups to take a direct role in community revitalization efforts,” explains Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Community revitalization is so critical but resources are limited. The Fresh Paint Days PA Program provides resources as an impetus to improve our communities one structure at a time. It is a valuable program and I want to encourage community groups in Pennsylvania to take full advantage of this great opportunity.”