Paint-A-Thons

Many community partners come together to make the local annual Paint-A-Thons a success. Area partners work together to identify homes, make necessary repairs, recruit volunteers, and do the painting to beautify homes.

Eligible homes are to be single story or small one and a half story houses owned by a person 50 or older, or disabled, or a single parent, or a veteran, with limited income, who is unable to afford to hire the work done.

Burlington

The Burlington Paint-A-Thon is a collaborative effort between Community Action of Southeast Iowa, First Mid/Two Rivers Bank, Sherwin Williams, and many area volunteers. The event started in 1993 and is held at the beginning of September each year, generally the week of Labor Day.

  • In the first 26 years, over 11,000 volunteers helped paint over 500 homes in Des Moines County using over 8,000 gallons of paint.
  • From 1992 – 2025, 573 homes have been painted.
  • The Paint-A-Thon has also painted homes in Mediapolis since 2001.
  • First Mid/Two Rivers Bank provides the advertising, pays for volunteer t-shirts and a luncheon. Sherwin -Williams supplies paint (starting in 2026, previously Diamond Vogel supplied paint), and Community Action helps choose the houses to be painted and does small repairs on the houses if necessary.

Burlington 2026

  • 2026 Burlington Paint-A-Thon Flyer
  • 2026 Application for the Burlington Paint-A-Thon
    • Due July 10, 2026
  • Press Release – Coming in June
  • Homes will be painted the week of Labor Day (the first full week of September).
  • Those interested in volunteering can contact First Mid/Two Rivers Bank (319-753-9163).
  • Painting will occur September 7-11, 2026.
  • Volunteers (no experience required) are needed the week of September 7th! Contact Shane Zimmerman at First Mid Bank and Trust: 319-753-9163.

Past Burlington Paint-A-Thons

Fort Madison 2026

The Fort Madison Paint-a-Thon focuses on homes within their city limits. Painting will occur the week of April 27 – May 1, 2025. They plan to paint around 4 homes.

Applications are available at Fort Madison Chamber, Kempker True Value & Rental, Inc, Fort Madison Library, Community Action of Southeast Iowa Eichacker Center, and online here.

Fort Madison started the city Paint-A-Thon in 2018. Between 2018 and 2025 there have been 28 homes painted. Many also receive minor repairs to be ready to paint.

Thank you to the following partners: Kempker’s True Value & Rental, Community Action of Southeast Iowa, Iowa Fertilizer Company, Climax, Scotts, Siemens, FMCH, Connection Bank & Insurance, Midwest One Bank, KLM Realty, Lee County Bank, Farmers Savings Bank, ConAgra, and Union Presbyterian Church in Fort Madison.

Keokuk 2026

The Keokuk Paint-A-Thon focuses on homes within their city limits. 2026 was the first year for the Keokuk Paint-A-Thon which was modeled off of the Burlington and Fort Madison successes.

See pictures on Facebook from:

Applications were available at Chamber/Main Street office, Keokuk Library, Keokuk City Hall, Community Action of Southeast Iowa Tallarico Center, and online.

Many thanks to the partners, volunteers, and donors who made it all possible! Fort Madison Beautification Foundation, Calvin Stevens and Keokuk Cares, Sherwin-Williams, AIM Credit Union, ImOn Communications, Amsted Rail, Climax Molybdenum, Jess Sutcliffe – State Farm Agent, First Mid (Two Rivers Bank & Trust), and Allied Blending, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, Connection Bank, Ten Acre Treehouse’s and Flint Bend Construction, City of Keokuk, and over sixty volunteers from Aim Credit Union, First Mid/Two Rivers Bank and Trust, Tillman Taxes, Golden Oak Society, Connection Bank, Fort Madison Chamber, the City of Keokuk, and the Keokuk Community School District.