Christmas in April is the largest home
rehabilitation organization in America. Our mission is to
build partnerships to rehabilitate homes and
community facilities of low-income, elderly, and/or
disabled homeowners so they can live in warmth,
safety, and independence.
We also bring together volunteers throughout Cecil
County to rehabilitate homes. This
neighbor-
helping-neighbor effort culminates in our
annual Work Day, held on the last Saturday in April. Each year, we facilitate the renovation of homes at no financial cost to the homeowner.
Christmas in April*Cecil County was started in 1994 and incorporated in 1997. To date, we have
facilitated over 300 projects. With the help of our many sponsors and volunteers, our mission is to
continue to help our neighbors in need.
Our approach is simple: months of planning and preparation culminate in our Christmas in April Work
Day – the last Saturday in April – when volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, in communities across
America come together to repair and rehabilitate the houses of needy residents in their own
communities.
Our goal is to leave each home safe, warm, and dry. We hope to add a bit of joy and dignity to the
lives of the homeowners.
Homeowners do not pay for any repairs. All materials
are donated or paid for by either the sponsor groups or
Christmas in April. Able-bodied residents of the home
are expected to help work. Friends and relatives are
encouraged to volunteer as well.
We accept donations from churches, businesses,
corporations, organizations, and individuals. All
donations are tax deductible. Christmas in April now
has chapters in hundreds of cities and towns across America.
We have reached the far corners of Cecil County with projects in Rising Sun, Earleville, Chesapeake
City, Elkton, North East, Conowingo, Port Deposit, Perryville, and Charlestown.
Our homeowners are our best assets. They come to us from all different
backgrounds, but they all need a little help. Many of them are proud and find it hard to ask for help since
they, often, were the ones to help others when they were younger. It is important that we all remember
their pride and honor it.
Volunteers come from all backgrounds and with all skill
levels. We have electricians and plumbers, carpenters
and contractors, roofers and general handymen. We
also have a large number of "unskilled" volunteers;
these are the people who come for the day to do
whatever needs to be done. They work wonderfully
under direction of a skilled craftsman or do "grunt" work
like loading trash on a truck. None of our jobs could be
completed without lots of these unskilled workers.
And don’t forget the people who work all year long to
make the Christmas in April Work Day happen! Our
Board of Directors meets regularly to plan for the next
year’s projects, raise funds, and visit organizations to
tell them about Christmas in April. We also work with
the House Selection Committee to preview and decide on the projects that can be done. Publicity and newsletters, fund raising activities, and forms and reports
to various organizations are all part of the job of the Board of Directors. The Board is 100%
volunteer-based and we are always looking for new members to bring new ideas to our organization. We
meet once a month for 2 hours, usually the third Thursday of the month. More time is needed closer to
the Work Day, but all volunteers set their own schedule. Any time you can devote would be greatly
appreciated.
For more information, or to become more involved, please email Bob Alcorn or telephone us at
443-907-5289.
