An effort backed by syndicated radio show host Delilah will bring a fresh coat of paint to parts of Commercial Street next month.
"It's going to be fun," the host told the News-Leader on Thursday. "It's going to be a party."
The north Springfield striphas been selected for "Paint the Town," a community project the host — whose full name is Delilah Rene— originally launched to benefit her Washington hometown.
Volunteers are being solicited to spend a portionof Sept. 23 and 24, a Saturday and Sunday, painting the exteriors of more than 30 buildings along the street.
Commercial Street is the fifth community to get Paint the Towntreatment, and the host herself will be in town to work.
"On that morning, Delillah is one of the first to show up, and she hands out T-shirts and paintbrushes to volunteers as they come aboard," said Kraig Kitchin, Delilah'sbusiness manager.
The show "Delilah" airs weekdays on 171 radio stations around the county, includingon KGBX 105.9 in the Springfield area from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Delilah began Paint the Townin 2009 as an effort to beautify downtown Port Orchard, Washington, where she lives. Kitchinsaid Delilah is passionate about restoration.
"She's very big into what she refers to as second chances," he said.
Kitchin said Delilah then decided to take it to other communities, so she could"meet with her listeners and create a community project."
Since then, Paint the Town has focused on neighborhoods in three other cities: Belleville, Illinois; Waukegan, Illinois, and Pittsburgh.
Kitchin said that after the the Belleville event in 2010, "we heard from a variety of her listeners who said, 'Think of my town.'"
Some specifically proposed Springfield, saying the effort seemed well-suited for either downtown or Commercial Street, he said.
"They talked about what was old was being made new again," Kitchin said.
Kitchin visited Springfield earlier this year and said his team was "rather impressed with what we saw on Commercial Street." He said the strip "really showed signs of promise" and found the Commercial Club— which works to promote the area— "very vibrant."
Kitchin said Commercial Street was officially chosen for Paint the Town in Apriland that he's been working behind the scenes since then. Kitchin said he's met with KGBX, city officials and Commercial Street property owners.
One community is selected for Paint the Town each year.
"The street that we choose has to have good bones ... and then truly a sense of community," Delilah said.
Delilah said she's excited to return to Springfield because "my mother's whole family is from your neck of the woods." She said her late mother was born in Flippin, Arkansas. (Delilah herself was born in Oregon).
"We're going to have not only Paint the Town, but a family reunion," Delilah said.
Delilah said her grandmother was displaced from her home when the dam was built to create what is now Table Rock Lake.
"I'm excited to feel close to my mom's family again, and close to her home," she added.
Commercial Club President Mary Collette told the News-Leader more than 30 buildings will be paintedand that thework will be done onstreet-facing exteriors. Property owners will pick the color that volunteers will apply to eachbuilding.
Any pre-painting work that needs to be done, like power washing and sanding, will be done before volunteers arrive, Kitchin said.
Those interested in volunteering on Sept. 23 and 24 can sign up online at KGBX.com/paint or by calling the station at 417-890-5555.
The website says to plan to spend four hours volunteering. No painting experience is necessary. Kitchin said those with experience may be asked to manage a group of volunteers.
"Our idea is that from sun up to sundown we're working, and the transformation takes place before your eyes," Kitchin said.
Kitchin said he's "hoping for as many as 400" volunteers.Delilah encouraged groups to volunteer together, rattling off some possibilities, from church groups to fraternities, Girl Scout troops to Alcoholics Anonymous attendees.
"Can't wait to hug some people," Delilah said.
Kitchin said thatDelilah will do a meet-and-greet event to support Victory Mission, a nonprofit based on the street, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22.He said it will be free and open to the public.
Later that day, Kitchin said, the host will do an event for KGBX listeners. He said he believes the station will determine who attends through giveaways.
Delilah will then do part of her Friday showlive from the KGBX studio, Kitchinsaid. (The start of the show will be pre-recorded.)
Delilah's program was originallyknown as "Delilah After Dark" whenit went on the air in 1992, Kitchin said. During the show, Delilah takes calls from listeners and typically provides encouragement and support before dedicating a song to them.
Delilah was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame lastNovemberand into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in April.
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