Paint the Cape Beautiful!
Paint the Cape beautiful has a purpose:
Our main goal is to update and energize the look of Cape Coral.
Why bother with buildings?
It has been said that if someone owns a building, let them paint it! Paint the Cape Beautiful came to an understanding that often building owners do not realize how old and un-kept their building has become over time. Sometimes, building owners don't have the money to update the exterior of their building, or they don't know how, or don't understand the importance of keeping property pleasing to the eye, so to speak.
Old un-kept buildings, lack energy, zeal, and excitement. Think of them like the old tired dog that attracts a slow pat on the head, but is left to sleep un-disturbed for the most part. A newly painted building could be compared to the young puppy that makes you want to throw a ball and play tug in enthusiasm. It is the energy, and emotional uplift that a pretty city creates, that brings people to shop, play, have a meal, or just enjoy an afternoon stroll.
With today's economy, most business owners look only at what something will cost, not what putting out some money on their building could do for both their business and property, but neighboring businesses as well. Buildings that look old, dirty and out of step, impact the economy of the entire city. When you spruce up a building, you increase the amount of people who will use the services of the business that occupies it. More business and more profitability equate to a better, healthier economy. To allow buildings to create the feeling that no one cares anymore is emotionally and visually a path that leads to the death of a city.
Paint the Cape Beautiful has set out to bring a sparkle back to Cape Coral. We are not a sleepy, dying on the vine, accomplish nothing city! We want to show the world that when people join together in our city, or any other city, ANYTHING can be accomplished. We want jobs for our children, smiling faces on property owners, thriving flourishing businesses and a growing economy.
The impact of this group and its actions are creating an example nationwide! National news is tracking and spreading the progress of this group and its impact on a city.
It all starts with PAINT!
Do the building owners have to pay anything to have their buildings painted?
Yes, they do. They are asked to pay $200 to $300 to help with the cost of painting the building. This money is used to purchase paint, supplies and to pay a supervisor of the volunteers (a minimal amount) to ensure that all the clean up is done, supplies are where they need to be and everything is satisfactory when Paint the Cape Beautiful starts and completes its work, prior to and following the actual painting.
Who chooses the paint colors?
Paint the Cape Beautiful has a paint committee. When a building is selected for painting, the committee goes out, meets with the building owner and together they choose colors for the building that are suitable. The goal is to create continuity within the city, using colors that bring the look up to date for the area, and that stop "tacky" misfit color combinations from impacting the beauty of the city, Great care is taken to accomplish the wishes of the building owner, and to enhance the city with chosen paint colors.
Cape Coral is not Key West, it is not Naples, it is not Ft. Myers Beach….Cape Coral need not copy…but rather, create it's own identity. To do that, we all have to work together. A log cabin looks great in the mountains up north. It just doesn't fit here. The color white is great if you want to be in the 50's or 60's. It is not a current up to date color, and does not help our city look relevant for today. Florescent Orange may be wonderful on a beach, but it is not within the scope of the vision for Cape Coral and therefore does not help anyone, but instead, hurts everyone.
Are you going to paint any building that wants it?
We will paint buildings that need it. We don't paint a building just because someone wants "a cheap" job. This is about businesses helping businesses. If you are going to accept this "gift" then you will need to give back to the community or other businesses in some way. It takes a great deal of people's time and community effort to paint a building, not to mention expense! What we do has to make a difference! It has to make sense! It has to be done because there is a real need.
Where do the donations come from?
Donations come from citizens who live in Cape Coral. They come from local businesses that love Cape Coral and want to "give back" to the community. Donations come from people who want to be proud of where they live and enjoy life.
Just to name a few of the businesses…. HOME DEPOT, LOWES, SHERWIN WILLIAMS, ACE HARDWARE, PUBLIX, PERKINS, SUBWAY, DOMINOS PIZZA, WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD STORE, BARRYANTON SALON, INTERGRAPHICS, DOCKSIDE PROPERTY, SWEETBAY, STARBUCKS, and many others.
Our volunteer painters come from every walk of life. They are young and old alike. Simply put, they are people who want to make a difference in Cape Coral. They are your neighbors!
Who supports you?
We are non profit. Everything we do is through the donation of, money, time, or gift cards.
We have been blessed with help from the CRA (Community Redevelopment Association.)
We work through the Cape Coral Community Foundation.
All donations must go through them. You can donate cash and gift cards through the Cape Coral Community Foundation, http://www.capecoralcf.planyourlegacy.org/.
Their contact information for DONATIONS is:
4729 Vincennes Boulevard Cape Coral, FL 33904, 239.542.5594
Please identify that you would like the donations to go to Pant the Cape Beautiful.
What has been the biggest benefit from Paint the Cape Beautiful?
All of the vacant buildings that we have painted have been rented. Building owners have put new priority on making their part of the city look good. They are slowly adding pots and plants and new signs. Other buildings, not painted by Paint the Cape Beautiful are showing signs remodel and clean up. Something wonderful is happening! It's called ENERGY! It's called PRIDE! It's called ENVOLVEMENT!
Why are you concentrating on downtown Cape Coral?
It has been proven in past years, and in other cities, that when projects take place scattered throughout an area, the impact of what has taken place is not felt. When Paint the Cape Beautiful got started, it was decided that the volunteer efforts would stay localized in one are to create the largest, most recognizable impact possible.
What can you do to help?
Donate a Saturday to paint! We need all the help we can get…and its fun!
Offer some landscaping ability. This is a tremendous need and an opportunity for some smart business man to do some landscaping, put a sign out…"donated by xyz landscaping company and get some recognition for your efforts. It's the BEST advertising you can get!
Make a donation of cash or gift cards.
SPEND YOUR MONEY IN THE CAPE! Every time a dollar finds its way across the bridge, some business in Cape Coral looses its ability to continue, expand, spruce itself up, hire extra help, etc. Help your neighbors…keep the money in the Cape.
Slow down when you drive down Cape Coral Parkway!
What is the hurry? People need to cross the Parkway. You might see a business you'd like to visit. Slow down by 5 miles and hour…..Make a difference.
STOP complaining and make a positive difference.
Any one can complain and drain all others of positive energy…It takes a special person to change things for the better and make a difference.
Attend the fun things going on in the Cape.
The events such as Nights on the Parkway, Bike Night, the art festival, the Columbus day parade, tree lighting ceremony, cardboard boat races etc. take a lot of work to create. Give back to those who work so hard to provide new and fun events….at least enjoy the "in town" opportunities for fun and show them you appreciate all the effort!
TEACH your children to participate in worthwhile projects.
Did you know that your teenagers can volunteer and receive community service hours for their school requirement? Volunteer and bring the family.
Accept the failures of the past, correct what you can and focus on the future.
Cape Coral will benefit greatly by moving itself forward. Time marches on…you march with it or you get left in the dust!
MAKE A BRIGHTER FUTURE AND CITY FOR THOSE WHO WILL COME AFTER!
Want to donate something special?
Can you hand craft a monument sign?
Are you talented with time on your hands?
Can you think of something that would be beautiful and would benefit Cape Coral?
Tell me about it…..Click here to send me an e-mail!
Would you like to donate a bench, a concrete table and benches, or a large planter with plants?
Tell me about it… Click here!
PUT YOUR COMPANY NAME ON THE DONATION FOR ALL TO SEE. Advertising dollars that make a difference for you AND everyone else!
See you at the next PAINT THE CAPE BEAUTIFUL! Check out our current projects here!