Christmas In April facilitates the repair to homes of those who, due to age, disability, and financial hardship, cannot do the work themselves. Skilled and unskilled volunteers give six-to-eight hours of service to help with repairs. Christmas In April is a non-profit organization supported entirely by voluntary contributions of time and money.

The program does have several limitations, however:

CHRISTMAS IN APRIL CANNOT MAKE STRUCTURAL REPAIRS OR UNDERTAKE PROJECTS THAT CANNOT BE COMPLETED IN ONE DAY! If your house requires structural work, we can refer you to the Cecil County Department of Housing and Community Development.

To be eligible for consideration, the HOME TO BE REPAIRED MUST BE OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY THE HOMEOWNER AND THE HOMEOWNER MUST BE ELDERLY, LOW-INCOME, HANDICAPPED, AND/OR DISABLED.

While there are no income requirements, the program does take income into consideration when making the final selections. In particular, the program is designed to help individuals who have no means to make the needed repairs themselves. Our decision to work on your project IS NOT based on your income.

If you are applying on behalf of someone or making a referral, please discuss your referral with the homeowner(s) prior to submitting the application and secure as much of the required information as possible. We also need your name, phone number, and relationship to the homeowner.

Additionally, the program requires a site visit by a Christmas In April*Cecil County volunteer to make sure the repairs are within the scope of the Christmas In April program. You will receive a call to schedule this visit.

Homeowner Letter (PDF)

Homeowner Policy Statement (PDF)

ELIGIBILITY: The home to be repaired must be owned and occupied by the homeowner(s) and the homeowner(s) must be handicapped, disabled, low-income, and/or 62 years of age.

APPLICATION: An application must be completed. Proof of income, for the homeowner only, must be made available. This could include Social Security statements and/or Pension statements. We will also need directions to the home and a way to make appointments by phone.

STRUCTURAL: Christmas In April*Cecil County can only make minimal repairs to dwellings. The existing foundation and walls must be in sound shape.

WORKERS: Physically-able homeowners, family members, and other persons living in the home, or visiting on Christmas In April's Work Day, are expected to work alongside volunteers.

ENTRY: House Selection person(s) and House Captains must be granted access to the home to determine homeowner's needs and prepare material listing.

ONE-DAY EVENT: All homeowners who are selected must fully understand that this is a one-day event and not all work that they need to have done can be accomplished in one day. Christmas In April*Cecil County will determine the methods and materials to be used to perform the work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Christmas In April*Cecil County will not expose volunteer workers to unsafe or unsanitary conditions that may cause disease or injury.

TRAILER/DOUBLEWIDE HOMES: Christmas In April*Cecil County cannot make repairs on trailers or doublewide homes that are over ten (10) years old.

A Channel 2 is a project that cannot wait until our annual Work Day, held the last Saturday in April each year. When submitting a Channel 2 application, you are stating this repair is an "emergency" and needs to be done as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to contact Christmas In April*Cecil County at 443-907-5289. The applicant will be notified, in writing, whether or not he/she has been selected for the Channel 2 project. If approved, the repair(s) will be scheduled by Christmas in April and will be done as soon as possible.

Channel 2 Homeowner Letter (PDF)

Channel 2 Policy Statement (PDF)

CHANNEL 2 ELIGIBILITY: The home to be repaired must be owned and occupied by the homeowner and the homeowner must be handicapped/disabled, low-income, and/or elderly.

APPLICATION: An application must be completed. Proof of income, for the homeowner only, must be made available. This could include statements from Social Security and/or Pension. We will also need directions to the home and a way to make appointments by phone.

STRUCTURAL: Christmas In April*Cecil County can only make minimal repairs to dwellings. The existing foundation and walls must be in sound shape. Physically-able homeowners, family members, and other persons living in the home, or visiting on Christmas In April's Work Day, are expected to work alongside volunteers.

ENTRY: House Selection person(s) and House Captains must be granted access to the home to determine homeowner’s needs and prepare material listing.

CHANNEL 2 PROJECT: All homeowners who apply for our Channel 2 program are stating this is an “emergency” and cannot wait for our annual Work Day, held on the last Saturday in April each year. Christmas In April*Cecil County will determine the methods and materials to be used to perform the work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Christmas In April*Cecil County will not expose volunteer workers to unsafe or unsanitary conditions that may cause disease or injury.

TRAILER/DOUBLE WIDE HOMES: Christmas In April*Cecil County cannot make repairs on trailers or doublewide homes that are over ten (10) years old.