Approximately 140 members of the Wichita Church of Christ will be painting 10 houses in south Wichita. The areas targeted are low income, elderly neighborhoods where the residents are unable to meet these needs themselves, according to Timothy Bernitt, Minister at the Wichita Church of Christ.

For the past three years, the Wichita Church of Christ has worked with City of Wichita’s Office of Central Inspection office to identify people who are truly in need of our assistance, said Bernitt.

This year, Bernitt approached The Wichita Police Department’s Community Policing South asking for assistance. “We were more than happy to help,” said Community Policing Officer Dwain Diehl. “This is a great opportunity to give back to the community.”

Anyone who would like to help paint should report at 8 a.m. to the Wichita Church of Christ, 4100 Memory Lane.

Bernitt said last year’s “Paint Wichita 2002” was a great success, with 20 houses painted by church members in one day. “Widows and elderly people were truly encouraged as they had their homes transformed before their eyes. Over the last three years, the church has helped to paint the homes of over 45 homeowners in various neighborhoods of Wichita,” said Bernitt.

The project received $1,500 in funding from the Wichita Community Foundation, through the Community Police Neighborhood Fund. If you would like more information please contact Officer Dwain Diehl at 337-9000 or Tim Bernitt at 721-7599.