Senior Mission Project

"Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love."- St. Mother Teresa

Bucket Brigade

The Bucket Brigade, co-sponsored by Pride, Inc., The Telegraph and Brod-Dugan/Sherwin Williams has been painting homes for area residents since 1988.  The program matches volunteer teams with homeowners who are no longer able to maintain their homes without assistance.  In order to qualify for the program, homes must be one-story, owner-occupied residences.  Most of the homeowners that benefit from this program are seniors who simply cannot handle such a huge job alone. Other recipients are those with physical or financial limitations that prevent them from doing the work.  Volunteer teams complete the painting at no cost to the homeowner.

Our exclusive paint supplier is Brod-Dugan/Sherwin Williams.  They donate the first 300 gallons of paint, then sell the remaining 500-800 gallons to us at cost.  A company representative visits each homeowner to measure the job and discuss color options.  Obviously, we could not provide this program without their ongoing support.  Other significant partners are the Alton Foundation, Alton Woman's Home Association, Boeing Employees Charitable Fund, State Farm Insurance Company and Castelli's Restaurant at 255.

Dale Neudecker, a Pride, Inc. Board member created the Bucket Brigade project in 1988.  That first year his volunteer teams painted 23 homes.  In 30 years, the project has grown to over 50 volunteer teams who have painted more than 1,500 homes in Riverbend communities.

The Bucket Brigade Committee, visits each nominated home to evaluate its qualification for the program.  To nominate a home, please download the form at www.prideincorporated.org.

Class of 2019 |  104 seniors

Painted 6 houses
6 Seniors worked at Riverbend Head Start 
 
What the seniors had to say after the Senior Mission Project...
"I loved this week! I wish we could paint for two weeks & help more people!" "It was great to get to know classmates I don't spend so much time with."  "Painting the house is one thing, but the love we had as a group together is what made this week great."  I learned there are people in our own town who don't live in the greatest conditions."  " I'll never forget the deep conversations new had & the sense of pride we have for what we accomplished." " This project made me excited to do service projects in college.  I know I can make a difference."

2018-2019 Mission Project

April 22 - April 26

History of the Senior Mission Project

2003-07  Matamoras, Mexico (12 seniors each year; 24 in 2007)
2008-09  New Orleans, LA
2010  Highland, IL
2011  New Orleans, LA
2012  Atlanta, Georgia & Birmingham, AL
2013-15  Birmingham, AL
2106-19  Bucket Brigade-Alton, IL