Press Room
One Man’s Christmas Comes Twice
Program looking to help others
By Jane Bellmyer
Published: Thursday, December 25, 2008 7:05 PM CST, The Cecil Whig
For most people, Christmas comes but once a year.
Not so for Richard Biggers. Thursday was his second Christmas this year.
Christmas in April volunteers built the Perryville man a ramp so he could travel to and from his home on his own power. Biggers suffered a spinal cord injury last January that left him unable to walk. But he could not get his wheelchair outside of his house.
“My two sons would have to carry me out and put me in the car,” he said.
Christmas in April is a free program offered to low-income homeowners in need of repairs. Applications for the 2009 program set for April 26 need to be submitted by Dec. 31.
Volunteers from churches, clubs and companies arrange for supplies and labor. Christmas in April also has an emergency program that conducts a build as needed, which is how Biggers got connected.
“Frank Rinaldi at Ray of Hope was going to do it for us, but he said it was too big of a job,” Biggers said. “So he contacted Christmas in April.”
Most jobs are completed in a day. This wasn’t one of them.
“We had to do it in a number of days; we had as many as seven (volunteers) at a time,” said Frank Grieten, co-chairman for the Christmas in April volunteers and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Elkton.
A contractor by trade, he said this was one of the more complicated ramps he has had to build.
“It had to go six feet in one direction, then make a 180 degree turn and go back across where he had built a deck years ago,” he said. “It was an interesting challenge.”
Trinity Church has been involved with Christmas in April since 2000. Over the years, the volunteers have tackled some big jobs.
“We had one townhouse about four years ago where we replaced the water heater. The man hadn’t had hot water in 2½ years. We also replaced the siding on his house, replaced the patio door and painted the first-floor rooms,” he said.
For Grieten, the reward comes from getting the job done. But the group’s efforts did not go unnoticed.
“A neighbor came over and said it was wonderful that we were doing this because he is so helpful to the community,” Grieten said.
This week, as the official Christmas Day approached, Biggers continued to appreciate the gift he received in September.
“To see all these guys out there helping . . . it chokes you up,” he said. “Those people were fantastic.”
Call (443) 907-5289 to apply for Christmas in April assistance, or to learn how to volunteer for a build.
Copyright © 2009 - Cecil Whig
Christmas in April Seeks Applicants
Published in the Cecil Whig, October 15, 2008
Christmas In April*Cecil County applications are available for anyone who would like their homes to be considered for repair or renovation in April 2009.
Christmas In April*Cecil County helps low-income people who own their own houses but, because of physical limitations and/or lack of resources, are unable to cover the cost of even the most basic home maintenance. Typically, these individuals are elderly or have disabilities, but younger families and nonprofit facilities such as schools, shelters, and daycare centers serving low-income people also receive assistance in the annual renovations efforts.
Currently, Christmas In April*Cecil County is looking for projects to work on next year when hundreds of volunteers will spread out across the county on the last Saturday in April. All work is done on this one day and typical projects include painting, window and door replacement, handicap facilities, kitchen and bath repairs and other home repairs. All labor and materials are donated to those helped.
Applications are available from all branches of the Cecil County Public Libraries, Community Transit and Senior Services and local churches or by calling (443) 907-5289.
The application deadline is Dec. 31, 2008. All applicants will be contacted and final selection and visitation of acceptable projects will be completed by March 1, 2009
Local business, service organizations, schools and churches donate their time, talents and financial resources to take on one or more of these projects each year.
In 2008, 35 homes were repaired across the county from Earleville to Rising Sun.
Christmas in April
From November 17, 2008 issue of the Herald County Edition
by Lisa Tome
Contributing editor
The season hasn't arrived yet, but some locals are gearing up to provide holiday gifts next spring.
Christmas in April Cecil County will be held on April 25, 2009.
Since it started in the county in 1994, more than 200 homeowners in need have received assistance. Christmas in April is an annual one-day project to repair the homes of those who due to age, disability and/or financial hardship, cannot do the work themselves.
The goal of Christmas in April, which is the largest home rehabilitation organization in America, and is all volunteer, is to help the elderly, disabled and those in need with one day home rehabilitation projects. Past projects have included building handicapped ramps, roofing work, plumbing projects, repairs of doors and windows, painting and more. The work is done at no financial cost to the homeowner. Structural repairs cannot be made and projects that take longer than one day will not be accepted. The home must be owned by the applicant. Rental homes are not accepted and the homeowner must be a person in need, elderly (age 62 or above) or disabled.
Volunteers are needed to help with the projects. There are volunteer opportunities for tradespeople, groups, organizations, individuals and companies. Those under age 14 may not work at home sites. Those under age 18 must have a signed waiver from a parent or guardian prior to participating. Service learning credit is available. Skilled and unskilled volunteers give six to eight hours of service to help with repairs. For volunteers, the day generally runs from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sponsors are also needed for the projects.
Applications for those in need are available from all branches of Cecil's public libraries, the Department of Social Services, Senior Services and Community Transit, Chesapeake Care Resources or by calling (443) 907-5289. The application deadline is December 31, 2008. The selection process will be completed in January. Confidentiality is assured for all applicants. The home to repaired repaired must be owned and occupied by the homeowner. The homeowner must be handicapped, elderly or disabled.
Anyone who wants to apply for Christmas in April, wants to volunteer or sponsor a project should contact Bunny Sturgill-Martin at (443) 907-5289. Applications are accepted at Christmas in April Cecil County P.O. 2303 Elkton, Md. 21922.
Mark your calendars...
This year's workday is Saturday, April 28, 2012!
