A brigade is a group of people organized to function as a unit in some type of work. Volunteers of the Bucket Brigade, co-sponsored by Pride Inc., The Telegraph and Brod-Dugan/Sherwin Williams have lived up to that expectation - working like a well-oiled machine to "spruce-up" its 1000th home.
According to Sue Hardin, executive director of Pride, more than 500 workers helped spread hundreds of gallons of paint on 40 local homes this year to reach this impressive milestone. Thousands have volunteered through the years, coming back year after year - some individually - others as part of a business, organization, or group of friends, family or colleagues.
"We try to do most of the painting in May, although three houses were painted just recently," Hardin said. "It's wonderful how many people pitch in to help."
The purpose of the brigade is to help homeowners who may not be able to maintain their homes without assistance, such as senior citizens or those with physical or financial limitations. Pride Board Member and Bucket Brigade Chairman Dale Neudecker formed the group in 1988, which completed 23 homes that first year. And it's grown from there, with residents and volunteers spreading the idea, along with paint, in other communities as well.
The 20-member Bucket Brigade committee visits nominated homes to evaluate qualifications and organizes volunteer teams to complete the work. Qualifying homes must be one-story and occupied by the owner. Teams select specific homes to paint based on team members' abilities.
Some additional organizations partnering in the Bucket Brigade include, The Alton Foundation, Alton Woman's Home Association, Boeing Employees Charitable Fund, State Farm Insurance Company and Moonlight Restaurant.
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A brigade is a group of people organized to function as a unit in some type of work. Volunteers of the Bucket Brigade, co-sponsored by Pride Inc., The Telegraph and Brod-Dugan/Sherwin Williams have lived up to that expectation - working like a well-oiled machine to "spruce-up" its 1000th home. 
