Christmas in April*Calvert County, Inc. www.ChristmasInAprilCalvertCounty.org

Volume 6 P.O. Box 2761 Prince Frederick, MD 20678 410-535-9044 Fall 2015

Board of Directors: Bill Lloyd, President

Glenn Phelps, Vice President

Sean McGowan, Treasurer

Randy Kozik, Secretary

Richard Alu

Rex Bowling

Steve Brooks

Christa Conant

Natasha Jones

Barbara DeHenzel Lloyd

John Lee

Jay Maisel

Carolyn Mohler

Karl Neddenien

Susan Russell

Adam Sanders

Steve Sanders

Guffrie Smith

Webmaster:

Adam Sanders

Resident Agent Laurence W. B. Cumberland

Honorary Board Members:

Pat Buehler

Mike Burns

Linda Herdeman

Mike Herdeman

Christmas in April*Calvert County, Inc. had its

biggest year ever in 2015. To begin, 112 applications

were received, showing an increased need and awareness

of this program. There was only one other year, back in

1994, that more applications were submitted. Christmas

in April was able to improve forty-four homes during this

past year, the most ever, and three United Way non-profit

agencies also received assistance from this Christmas in

April program. This was all possible because of the tre-

mendous support of the community! An outstanding

number of 725 volunteers donated approximately 9000

hours to help their Calvert County neighbors.

Christmas in April again participated in the Unit-

ed Way Day of Caring in September 2014, working on

one home and also improving conditions for three non-

profit agencies. A first was participating in the #Giving

Tuesday campaign in December, “a global day dedicated

to giving back”. Three completed projects helped to

brighten the holiday season for these homeowners. An-

other new experience for Christmas in April was the big

Kick-Off Day, two weeks prior to the annual work day on

the last Saturday in April. This most successful event

brought out over 100 volunteers throughout the weekend

who completed more than 800 hours of much needed

work for the 92 year old WWII veteran homeowner.

The community has also been most generous to

this organization financially. Donors of $2000 or more

are acknowledged as a sponsor of a house, as are groups

that sponsored a whole house, no matter the cost. We

were most fortunate to have sponsors for fifteen homes

this year. Appreciation is also expressed to Sneades’ Ace

Home Center and Dunkirk Supply Inc. for their contribu-

tions which supported most of the homes through their

donation of supplies.

Since its inception in 1991, Christmas in April

has helped 721 homeowners (including ten non-profit

facilities) to live in warmth, safety, and independence. As

Christmas in April enters its 25th year, we look forward to

the continued outpouring of caring from this wonderful

Calvert County community as Christmas in April will

again improve houses for low-income homeowners.

In this newsletter, you will find the list of con-

tributors for the work efforts, a description of the work

done on each home, and a calendar for the coming year.

Please check the website for more information.

Bobby Adams Mt. Olive UMC

Denise Aud Prince Frederick Dodge

Howard Brooks Reality Homes Inc.

Steve Brooks Calvert Lighthouse Church

Veda Brooks Calvert Lighthouse Church

Larry Carter Harvest Fellowship Presbyterian Church

Emanuel Demedis Calvert County Bar Association

Travis Don Bullion TD Renovations

David Fondelier Smithville United Methodist Church

Margaret Fowler Calvert Memorial Hospital

Michael Freeburger Early Bird Home Services

Fritz Friton Emanuel Baptist Church

Amilkar Granados Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Everard Johnson Mount Olive United Methodist Church

Don King Dominion LNG Cove Point

Randy Kozik Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Mandi Kuidlan IET Corporation

George Leah Calvert Kiwanis Club and

Calvert County Board of Education

John Lee Arctic Snow Removal

Susie Lopez Dominion

Jay Maisel Maisel Electric

Vince Maldonado Our Lady Star of the Sea Knights of

Columbus Council 9258

Rodger Malmgren Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Darlene Mazzone Patuxent High School NJROTC

Frank McPhillips All Saints Episcopal Church

Tom Merkle Arrow Electric

Ralph Midkiff SMECO

Jennifer Moreland United Way

Jen Murphy Mill Creek Middle School National Jr.

Honor Society

Brian Owens Calvert County Lions Club

Amanda Pellettiere Exelon Generation

Glenn Phelps Cave to Castle Remodeling; Jesus the Good

Shepherd Catholic Church

James Pray Kiewit

Krystal Ringley IET Corporation

Bob Robertson Huntingtown United Methodist Church

Adam Sanders Chicago Bridge and Iron

Steve Sanders Exelon

Charlie Seehase Eagle Scout Project – Booz, Allen,

Hamilton

Jeff Seehase Booz, Allen, Hamilton

Jada Stuckert Patuxent High School NJROTC

Derek Taylor Howlin Concrete

Ray Wilkerson Friendship United Methodist Church

Keith Williams St. Nicholas Lutheran Church

Dan Wilson Wilson Properties, Inc.

House Captains and House Partners

Christmas in April* Calvert County, Inc. in partnership with the community, repairs and im-

proves houses assuring that low-income homeowners live in warmth, safety and independence.

Thank You Christmas in April*Calvert County Partners: Volunteers, Businesses, Churches,

Organizations and Individuals, who donated money, material, time and skills for the 2015 work day.

Anonymous

A. H. Hatcher Inc.

Adams Carpentry Service

All Saints Episcopal Church

Arrow Construction

Arrow Electric

Arctic Snow Management

ASE Electrical

Desiree Avila

Candice Baker

Bartlett Nuclear Inc.

Jeanne and John Bateman

Barbara and Richard Beers

Boomerangs

Ellen Berry

Anthony Blankenship

Paschal Bocherel

Booz, Allen, Hamilton

Blair Bowen

Gordon Bowen

Leila Boyer

Boy Scout Troop 420 – Charlie

Seehase Eagle

Scout Project

Brothers Johnson Septic Service

Buckets Bar

Builders Care

Calvert Brewing Company

Calvert County Bar Association

Calvert County Board of County

Commissioners

Calvert County Board of Education

Calvert County Bureau of Solid Waste

Calvert County Government

Calvert County Libraries

Calvert County Lions Club

Calvert County Office on Aging

Calvert County Public Schools

Maintenance Department

Calvert County Sheriff’s Office

Calvert Gazette

Calvert High School Key Club

Calvert Lighthouse Church

Calvert Memorial Hospital

Carruth and Sons, Inc. Ready Mix

Cave to Castle Remodeling

Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa

Chesapeake Bounty

Chesapeake Current

Christmas in April Board of Directors

Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day

Saints

Catherine Clark

CIN – Community Involved Network

Combined Federal Campaign –

Chesapeake Bay Area Employee

Fund

Combined Federal Campaign –

National Capital Area Employee

Fund

Combined Federal Campaign –

St. Mary’s County Employee Fund

Cotton’s Septic and Portable Toilets

William E. Cutlip

Cumberland and Erly

Davis, Upton, Palumbo and

Dougherty, LLC

Day & Zimmerman

Dominion

Dominion Cove Point LNG

Dominion Employee Giving

Donnie the Exterminator LLC

Dunkirk Hardware and Home Center

Dunkirk Supply Inc.

Pamela Dyson

Early Bird Home Services

William Emestburg

Emmanuel Baptist Church

Exelon Foundation

Exelon Generation

Valter Ezerins

Susan Flint

Floor Systems, Inc. – Huntingtown

Matt Forsbacka

Fred Wyrostek Plumbing, Inc

Friendship United Methodist Church

Robert and Tatiana Gallagher

Dennis Grey

Habitat for Humanity

Walter Happell

Harvest Fellowship Presbyterian

Church

HELP Association

Hilton Gardens Solomons

Huntingtown High School Baseball

Huntingtown High School Key Club

Huntingtown United Methodist

Church

IET (Integrated Electrical Technology

Corporation)

IHI/Kiewit

Indoor Clean Air, LLC

Insane Wood Creations

Almueta Jakenburg

Jarboe Mechanical

Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic

Church

Joe Day Electrical

Lorraine Joyner

Kelly Generator and Equipment

Kiwanis Club of Calvert County

Kaine Homes

Knights of Columbus Council 9285

Larry’s Auto Service, LLC

John Lee

Lenny’s Home Improvement

Levitt’s Farm

Lisa’s Carpet Cleaning

David Lynch

Maisel Electric Heating and Air

Maryland Charity Campaign

Matress Center Lexington Park

Paul McCafferty

Christopher McCall

Sean McGowan, CPA

The McNelis Group Real Estate

Services

Mill Creek Middle School National

Junior Honor Society

Dennis and Marjorie Montana

Mt. Olive United Methodist Church

Charles Nava

Robert Newman

Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic

Church

Patuxent Habitat for Humanity

Patuxent High School ROTC

Margaret H. Phipps

Pamela Platt

Paul C. Hayden and Sons Plumbing

Pickett & Olivero

Prince Frederick Chrysler, Jeep,

Dodge Ram, Inc.

Prince George’s County Government

PNC Bank

Quality Built Homes, Inc.

Rausch Funeral Home

Realty Homes Inc.

Bill Resnick

Cristi Reid

Richard Robinson

Roland’s Chesapeake Beach

Running Hare Vineyard

Emily Rupard

Adam Sanders

Steve Sanders

SMECO

Smithville United Methodist Church

Sneade’s Ace Home Center

St. Nicholas Lutheran Church

Peggy Stringfellow

Joseph Suarez-Murias

Thomas Miller Electric

The Calvert Recorder

Thomas L. Hance, Inc.

Truist

United Way of Calvert County

United Way of Calvert County

Designated Giving

U.S. Air Force Crew

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

W. H. Lloyd Construction

Walls Plumbing

Wilson Properties Inc.

Winslow Pump and Well

Jeffrey York

House Sponsors

Booz Allen Hamilton

Dominion Cove Point LNG (2 homes)

Early Bird Home Services

Exelon Generation (4 homes)

Howlin Concrete, Inc.

Jarboe Mechanical

Kiewit

PNC Bank

Prince Frederick Chrysler, Jeep,

Dodge Ram, Inc.

SMECO

Smithville United Methodist Church

Tee shirt Sponsors

Arctic Snow Management

Booze, Allen, Hamilton

Buckets Bar

Cave to Castle Remodeling

Cotton’s Septic

Dominion

Dunkirk Supply

Exelon

Howlin Concrete Inc.

IHI Kiewit

Area Coordinators

Rex Bowling (NASA)

Steve Brooks (Calvert County Board

of Education)

John Lee (Arctic Snow Removal)

Bill Lloyd (W. H. Lloyd Construction)

Glenn Phelps (Cave to Castle

Remodeling)

Steve Sanders (Exelon Generation)

House Selection Committee

Carolyn Mohler, Chairperson

Richard Alu

Pat Baumann

Rex Bowling

Rick Branch

Steve Brooks

Christa Conant

Barbara DeHenzel-Lloyd

John Hofmann

Randy Kozik

John Lee

Jay Maisel

Karl Neddenien

Glenn Phelps

Susan Russell

Adam Sanders

Steve Sanders

Guffrie Smith

Tunya Taylor

Joanne Walton

Dan Wilson

Logistics Committee

Steve Sanders, Logistics Coordinator

Rex Bowling

Steve Brooks

Barbara DeHenzel-Lloyd

John Lee

Bill Lloyd

Glenn Phelps

Susan Russell

Adam Sanders

Thanks to all who offered support and encouragement to Christmas in April’s 2015 effort. We acknowledge with gratitude those who

wish to remain anonymous, or who were inadvertently omitted from the list of supporters

Calendar 2015-2016

For more details see website www.christmasinaprilcalvertcounty.org.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

August 2015

Applications are being accepted for the 2016 work day.

Raffle tickets being sold on an ongoing basis for the doll

house fundraiser.

September 2015

September 9: Christmas in April will work on a home for the

annual United Way Day of Caring.

September 30 – October 4: Christmas in April will have a

booth at the Calvert County Fair.

October 2015

October 3: Applications are due for the 2016 work day.

(Applications can be submitted online at

www.christmasinaprilcalvertcounty.org, may be requested by

a phone call, or may be picked up at the churches, senior

centers, or libraries.)

House Selection Committee will visit the homes of applicants.

November 2015

The Board approves houses to be repaired on the April 2016

workday.

December 2015

House captains are assigned to houses.

December 15: Raffle drawing for dollhouse,

January 2016

Homeowners will be informed of application decision.

January/February 2016

House captains visit homes, determine work, and develop

supply list.

March 2016

Preparations continue for the work day.

April 2016 April 30: Christmas in April work day.

The following information gives a brief summary of the improvements made on each home in 2015.

“Christmas in April was a life changer for me. Except for one trip to see the doctor, my last time out of the house was about a year ago.

The ramp is absolutely perfect!”

“It was Christmas, birthday, and Mother’s Day all in one.”

Quotes from April 2015 recipients

House # 1 – United Way Day of Caring This home was

worked on in September 2014 by three volunteers from Prince

Frederick Dodge, Insane Wood Creations, and Exelon

Generation, with John Lee as house captain. These

homeowners were proud to have their main entrance door

replaced and three storm windows repaired.

House # 2 Twenty volunteers from Our Lady Star of the Sea

and the Knights of Columbus, with Vincent Maldonado as

house captain, went to work raking the yard and cleaning up

miscellaneous debris. SMECO came out to turn off the power

to the house so they could work safely around the power lines.

Old weather damaged stair treads and railings were removed.

Some of the support posts, stair treads, and railings were

replaced and the balusters re-installed. Fascia was replaced

and painted. The homeowners praised the volunteers saying,

“You need to be proud of this group, especially the youth who

did a good job on the yard.” Thanks to A. H. Hatcher Inc. for

its contribution to this project.

House # 3 Over 100 community volunteers worked multiple

days to improve the home of this veteran. John Lee, Bill

Lloyd, Glenn Phelps, and Adam Sanders served as house

captains for this Christmas in April Kick-Off project in early

April. Exterior repairs included removing and replacing the

back porch roof, repairing the roof and replacing the floor of

the front porch, replacing twelve windows, and painting the

entire exterior of the home. Flower beds were reshaped and

mulched and debris was removed from in and around the

house. Much work was also done inside the house. The

floorings in the back room and the bathroom were replaced

and both rooms were painted. Ceiling tile was replaced in the

back room. Accessibility features included modifying the tub

to ADA standards and installing an ADA compliant toilet.

The homeowner is so happy with the improvements and

especially pleased to have no leaks in his home. Most

important to him was to see the whole community pitching in

and he said, “It was nice to be a part of that.” This home was

sponsored by Kiewit.

Guest Chef was John Lee from Artic Snow Removal and

Prince Frederick Dodge. Lunch was provided by Dominion

Cove Point LNG and Exelon Generation. Special thanks also

go to: IET Corporation, Cave to Castle Remodeling, W. H.

Lloyd Construction, A. H. Hatcher Inc., Hilton Gardens,

Brothers Johnson Septic Service, Dominion Cove Point LNG,

Exelon Generation, Artic Snow Removal, Prince Frederick

Dodge, Harvest Fellowship Presbyterian Church, Kiewit, the

Board of Commissioners of Calvert County, Patuxent Habitat

for Humanity, United Way of Calvert County, Calvert County

Department of Solid Waste, and the Board of Directors of

Christmas in April.

House # 4 Two skilled workers from Reality Homes, Inc.

were led by Howard Brooks, house captain, to make repairs

for this house. They repaired a leaking faucet in the bathroom

and replaced the threshold for the kitchen door so that water

no longer comes in the house. Additionally, the foundation

wall was repositioned/restrained on the front portion of the

home. This part of the block foundation had started to shift.

The homeowner was very satisfied and thankful for these

improvements to her home.

House # 5 With Susie Lopez as house captain, thirteen

volunteers from Dominion Cove Point LNG re-sided the entire

house with vinyl siding. The homeowner praised the work

and said, “It does not look like the same house. I am so

pleased. Those guys are a blessing! There were places where

the house had really deteriorated so much and holes where the

old siding had buckled up. It is amazing, the comeback.”

This home was sponsored by Dominion Cove Point LNG.

House # 6 Twenty-two volunteers, under the supervision of

Larry and Beth Carter, house captains, made repairs to this

home with twelve volunteers from Harvest Fellowship

Presbyterian Church and ten from the community. Their main

effort was to paint several large rooms, clean carpets, and

replace three commodes for the owner who is legally blind.

There was a full crew inside the house painting. Almost a

dozen volunteers worked outside the house, reseeding,

fertilizing, planting and trimming bushes, applying mulch, and

hauling away material. The steel railing was sanded and

painted and the door was painted. A smoke detector and

carbon monoxide detector were installed. The homeowner

commented, “The people were so helpful. They did

everything! They were good people doing good work for

people who need it.” Thanks also to Sneade’s Ace Home

Center, Lowes, Patuxent Habitat for Humanity, and Lisa’s

Carpet Cleaning for their support of this project.

House # 7 Dominion Cove Point LNG volunteers also

worked on this second home with a team led by Terry

Johnson, house captain. They performed needed landscaping

to divert water away from the house. The crew also removed

debris from the home. The homeowner is particularly pleased

with the landscaping which is working fine to keep the heavy

rain from going around to the back of the house and into the

basement. This home was also sponsored by Dominion Cove

Point LNG.

House # 8 Rodger Malmgren, house captain, with twelve

volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints

made numerous repairs to this home. The “interior door” and

frame used as the primary entrance door were replaced with an

outside rated door. A concrete pad was poured to help

connect the entrance steps with the driveway. A non-

functioning ceiling fan/light was replaced. Multiple electrical

outlets and light switches were replaced. Crown molding was

installed throughout most of the home to cover/repair gaps

near the ceiling/wall joint. A new bathroom subfloor and floor

tiles were installed due to a soft and rotting subfloor. Gutters

were cleaned and repaired. Under the kitchen sink, the

sheetrock on the back wall was damaged and the raised

cupboard floor was missing. Therefore, a new sheetrock back

wall and plywood raised cupboard floor were installed.

Finally, a new floor joiner was installed in the kitchen/living

room entryway. The homeowner was pleased with all of the

repairs, including many which made it safer for her to live in

the home. “They did everything!”

House # 9 Thanks to the many volunteers from the Calvert

Bar Association, under the direction of Emanuel Demedis,

house captain, many improvements were made to this home

and the safety enhanced for this widow in her 80s. The

bathroom and kitchen floors were both rotten and unsafe.

These floors were removed and replaced. A railing was added

for her steps. “The volunteers replaced the rotten window sills

and made them look better. They washed the house down and

that really made a difference.” The homeowner also

commented on how nicely the volunteers worked together.

House # 10 Fourteen volunteers from the Mill Creek Middle

School National Junior Honor Society, with the support of

eight Exelon Generation employees, brightened the life of this

homeowner. Jennifer Murphy, school sponsor of the honor

society, served as house captain for this school team. Dillon

Miller led the painting team which prepared and painted the

entire house. Chad Leo led the landscaping group which

trimmed or reshaped all of the shrubs, cut the grass, and

mulched the plants. The elderly homeowner exclaimed, “My

house looks better than it has ever looked! I am really proud

of my house.” She also said, “Those children were good at the

yard work. I have not been able to do that for four or five

years.” Thanks to A. H. Hatcher Inc. for support.

House # 11 This team of three volunteers from Mt. Olive

United Methodist Church, guided by Everard Johnson, house

captain, provided needed repairs on this house. They repaired

a leaking kitchen faucet, replaced a broken foundation vent,

removed and replaced tub surround, and repaired three kitchen

cabinets. According to the homeowner, no one else had

seemed to be able to repair the outside vent. “The volunteers

did lovely. They did the major things I had to have done. I

would recommend them to anyone. The group was very

polite.”

House # 12 Margaret Fowler, house captain, led the team of

sixteen volunteers from Calvert Memorial Hospital to

complete many repairs. They made major improvements on

the bathroom – replacing the bathroom vanity, sink, and

faucet, repairing and replacing the bathroom floor, installing

an ADA compliant toilet, and painting the room. The dining

room fan was removed and replaced with a light. Gutters

were cleaned. The awnings and gazebo were painted, flower

beds were cleaned, reshaped, and mulched, and miscellaneous

materials were hauled away. This team worked two days and

structured work to ensure this senior couple were not without

a bathroom for an extended period. The best thing for one of

the homeowners is the “handicapped commode.” “My back is

eased up now. It was Christmas, birthday, and Mother’s Day

all in one.” Thanks to A. H. Hatcher Inc. and Floor Systems,

Inc. for their support.

House # 13 A very satisfied homeowner received a “life

changer”, thanks to twenty-five volunteers from the Calvert

Kiwanis Club, the Calvert County Board of Education, and the

Huntingtown High School Key Club. Under the supervision

of George Leah, house captain, a wood deck and handicap

ramp were constructed. This work also included the

excavation, pouring, and finishing of a concrete walk from the

rear of the house to the front. The last time the homeowner

was out of the house was about a year ago, except for one time

to go to the doctor. She said, “Christmas in April has

expanded my life. The ramp is absolutely perfect. I look

forward to going to Walmart.” The day’s work also included

major driveway repairs, general yard clean-up, heavy

landscape pruning and mulching, and painting the front porch

deck and railings. The homeowner is pleased that her

husband, who has leg problems, now has a flat surface where

he can do a little bit of gardening. Thanks to Carruth and

Sons, Inc. Ready Mix for their support. This home was

sponsored by Howlin Concrete Inc.

House # 14 Fourteen volunteers were provided by Exelon

Generation and Cave to Castle Remodeling, with Steve

Sanders serving as house captain. This team removed the old

shingles from the roof, replaced the roof sheathing as

necessary, and reshingled the roof. Repairs were also made to

the deck and miscellaneous debris was hauled away. This

grateful homeowner said that he would hope that he could

help someone else in some way another time in appreciation

for the assistance he received. This home was sponsored by

Exelon Generation.

House # 15 Twelve volunteers from SMECO provided

needed repairs to this home under the supervision of Raleigh

Midkiff, house captain. They rebuilt and stained the deck

which had been unstable. The front porch was also rebuilt and

stained. Crawl space vents were repaired or replaced and the

crawl space door was modified. Electrical safety was

addressed as all outlets were checked and seven electrical

outlets were replaced. The baseboard heaters were checked to

ensure they were properly functioning. The gutters were

cleaned and reclamped. The homeowner said she had so much

fun with the SMECO volunteers and appreciated her relatives

coming from Baltimore to help. Appreciation is also extended

to Joe Day Electrical and A. H. Hatcher Inc. This home was

sponsored by SMECO.

House # 16 The crew of sixteen volunteers from

Huntingtown United Methodist Church helped make a

wheelchair bound grandmother’s life much easier and more

pleasant through a large number of improvements to her house

and yard. Led by house captain Bob Robertson, the crew

widened doorways, repaired damaged walls, installed a pocket

door to the bathroom, installed wainscoting to protect hallway

walls, and installed pantry shelving and an accordion access

door. Outside, the crew dramatically changed the look of the

property by trimming back bushes and trees, mulching garden

beds, planting a large number of new plants, and mowing the

grass. “It was a great day to be helping a very vulnerable

community member who really needed some assistance.” The

homeowner, who was in bed and hospitalized very soon after

the work day, said, “It was a thrill to come home and see all of

the work they did. The work was astounding!” Patuxent

Habitat for Humanity, A. H. Hatcher Inc., and Chesapeake

Bounty provided contributions toward the work. This home

was sponsored by Exelon Generation.

House # 17 This team of three volunteers from the Calvert

Lighthouse Church, led by Vada Brooks, house captain, made

several repairs to the roof of this home. This included

replacing the ridge caps and three vent caps on the roof. The

decaying area of the roof was removed and new plywood put

in place along with the area being re-shingled. The gutters of

the home were also cleaned. Inside the home, two pieces of

drywall were replaced, spackled, and painted in the bathroom.

The homeowner exclaimed, “God knows if it wasn’t for

Christmas in April, I don’t know what I would have done. I

don’t have that much money coming in. I really appreciate it.”

House # 18 Calvert Lighthouse Church volunteers worked

on this second home, with Vada Brooks again as house

captain. These twenty-eight volunteers diligently updated,

remodeled, and overhauled this home. Inside, there was a

complete overhaul of the bathroom to include, but not limited

to, installation of a new subfloor and floor, new tub/shower

combo, and a new toilet. New water lines were installed

inside and underneath the home and the hot water heater was

repaired. Electrical work included installation of new

electrical plugs and switches and new lights. Outside,

landscaping included cutting the grass, planting trees and

flowers, and mulching. The entire outside of the home was

given a fresh coat of paint. The chimney was also painted and

flashed and the facial board of the home was replaced. “This

bathroom is 100% better to use,” said the satisfied elderly,

disabled homeowner. “I could not use the other tub at all and

I can use this one.” “The women were singing as they

painted.” Special thanks to Michael West, electrician, for his

work on the home and to Patuxent Habitat for Humanity. This

home was sponsored by PNC.

House # 19 Dan Wilson, house captain, and his ten

volunteers from Wilson Properties, Inc. made many

improvements to this old home. The team insulated the

structure’s entire floor, replaced the railing on the steps, and

completed major electrical work on multiple circuits. The

homeowner said that it is most wonderful to now have heat

upstairs so that her children can be comfortable in the winter.

“The roof leaked and, now when is rains, my son’s bed is not

getting wet. The insulation under the house will help with the

oil bills. They also gave me a kitchen counter which I did not

have before. I am so thankful for everything.”

House # 20 This is the third house worked on by Calvert

Lighthouse Church, with Vada Brooks again as house captain.

For this house, there were many electrical repairs and

upgrades. Outside the home, two motion lights were replaced.

Inside the home, eight outlets were repaired and covers

replaced. In addition, four light switches were replaced.

There was a GFI unit rewired in the bathroom as well. A

vanity light was outfitted for the bathroom. Lastly, the ceiling

fan was rewired and hung properly over the stairs. According

to the homeowner, “Everything was so bad. Yes, indeed, oh

yes, my house is a lot safer.” Thanks again to Michael West,

electrician.

House # 21 Jay Maisel, house captain, along with seventeen

volunteers from the Prince George’s County Government

helped out this homeowner. Thanks also to the Community

Improvement Network and Roy DePhilips for assistance.

They partially roofed one section where it was leaking. Much

general yard clean up, including trimming of plants, was

completed. The underground oil tank was replaced with an

above ground tank, with the oil system being repiped to the

existing oil tank. Soffits were repaired and the front soffit and

garage trim were painted, as was some of the rear of the

house. Rotted brick mold was replaced around two sliding

glass doors and painted. A family member for this elderly

homeowner said, “The yard had been a total mess. They did a

great job! Things were done very professionally.” Thanks

also to Patuxent Habitat for Humanity for support.

House # 22 Jennifer Moreland, house captain, led this team

of fourteen volunteers from the Breezy Point Community to

help a neighbor weather proof her home. Improvements

included installing sixteen windows and constructing seven

plexiglass windows. Interior wall material was removed to

install insulation and the dry wall was rehung. Both interior

and exterior painting were done for this homeowner. A

leaking roof was repaired. The homeowner said, “They really

helped clean up the yard.” Flower beds were weeded and

reshaped and debris removed. “Thank you very, very much,”

said the grateful homeowner. A. H. Hatcher, Inc., Roland’s of

Chesapeake Station, Patuxent Habitat for Humanity, and

Chesapeake Bounty also supported this project. This home

was sponsored by Exelon Generation.

House # 23 Four volunteers from Arrow Construction

installed seven new replacement windows for these

homeowners in their 70s. These new double paned windows,

which replaced single paned windows, will save energy cost

for this couple. A new ceiling fan with light was installed to

replace the fan that did not work. One of the homeowners

described the old windows as “so thin when they took them

out, they like crumpled up”. “Now we have windows! They

did a beautiful job and were very nice sociable people.”

House # 24 Many improvements were made for this

homeowner by nineteen volunteers from Smithville United

Methodist Church, with Dave Fondelier serving as house

captain, for a real home makeover. A new kitchen sink was

installed, along with five cabinets. The homeowner said, “I

have never had cabinets on the wall. Before, all the pots and

pans were on the floor.” One screen door and three interior

doors were installed. Eighty percent of the living area was

painted and the paneling was replaced in the living room.

Electrical work included repairing three electric outlets and

installing one new outlet and three lighting fixtures. Safety

features included putting in two smoke detectors and a carbon

monoxide detector. Bathroom improvements consisted of

installing new flooring and putting in a shower, sink, and

vanity. The homeowner excitedly shared that, “I love my

bathroom. I can’t believe it. I love everything!” She

described the team as “real nice and friendly”. Thanks also to

Improvement for work on this home and to Patuxent Habitat

for Humanity for support. This home was sponsored by

Smithville United Methodist Church.

House # 25 Seven volunteers from All Saints Episcopal

Church, supervised by Frank McPhillips, house captain, made

a world of difference for this homeowner. The concrete was

repaired at the front door threshold and safety bars were

installed in the bathroom. Weather stripping was installed

around the front and back doors and the lower level windows

were scraped and caulked. The kitchen floor was stripped and

cleaned. Miscellaneous cleaning took place both inside and

outside of the home and items were hauled off from a shed, at

the request of the homeowner. The homeowner said, “I do not

know how I did without grab bars. They are very helpful. It

is so hard to get anybody to do anything and then they charge

an arm and a leg. I really appreciate everything from the

bottom of my heart.” Thanks to the support of Donnie the

Exterminator.

House # 26 Denise Aud, house captain, led this team of ten

volunteers from Prince Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram,

Inc., with the help of students from St. Mary’s Ryken High

School, to make needed improvements on this home. Much

work was done on the exterior of the home. Porch and deck

repairs were completed and a step was repaired, improving

safety for these homeowners. A window was also repaired.

All exterior surfaces were power washed. Exterior painting

enhanced the appearance of the home, as did the landscaping

and debris removal. A happy homeowner said, “It looks like

we have a new house. It never looked so good!” Thanks to

Chesapeake Bounty for support. This home was sponsored by

Prince Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Inc.

House # 27 Early Bird Home Services, with Michael

Freeburg, owner of this business, as house captain, spent eight

hours in early April prepping the home for the big work day.

The house was power washed, scraped and sanded. Fresh

caulk was applied and exterior rotted wood replaced. A day

was later spent painting the entire exterior of the house and

staining the back deck. The gutters were cleaned and two

smoke detectors were installed. The team of volunteers were

graciously fed lunch by Captain Cook’s Bayside Foods. The

homeowner is really happy with the appearance of his house

and says it looks “really good”. This home was sponsored by

Early Bird Home Services.

House # 28 A new drain field was replaced for these

homeowners by Cotton’s Septic Service, with Glenn Phelps as

house captain. The homeowners had recently gained custody

of their four young grandchildren and could not use much

water, nor could they wash clothes at home. According to the

grandmother, “It was horrible and the neighbors complained.

The septic is working great now.”

House # 29 Repairing a sagging floor was the task for these

five volunteers from Friendship United Methodist Church,

with house captain Ray Wilkerson providing guidance. The

homeowner described his sagging floor in the living room,

prior to the improvements, as “not safe”. “Whenever I walked

over there, it went down more and more. It is definitely sturdy

now and safe.”

House # 30 Friendship United Methodist Church also

worked on this home, as their second home, with seven

volunteers and Ray Wilkerson as house captain. Their

improvements made the bathroom accessible for this disabled

homeowner. The tub was replaced with a shower and a

handicap accessible toilet was installed. The homeowner’s

daughter said that the new shower and toilet have made a big

difference for her father and they “are working great”.

Insulation was added to the attic for energy efficiency and

yard work was completed. “This is a big improvement over

what he had. We really appreciate all the work that was

done.”

House # 31 Safety features provided by the eight volunteers

from Emmanuel Baptist Church greatly enhanced the life of

this homeowner. Led by Fritz Friton, house captain,

volunteers removed broken and loose stairs and railings on the

porches of the house. Four steps and a railing were replaced

on both the front porch and the back porch. Additionally, a

gate was installed at the front of the porch. The homeowner

has had both of her knees replaced and had fallen off of the

steps twice. She is very appreciative of these repairs and says,

“Everything is fine!”

House # 32 The project for this second team of nine

volunteers from Emmanuel Baptist Church, also guided by

Fritz Friton, was to build two stairs to replace those that were

too steep for the homeowner to walk down. The run was

lengthened, adding a step. The hand rails were removed on

the back and front porches. The foundation of the existing

ramp was repaired and the plywood on the ramp was replaced.

The steps were removed and replaced to the left of the deck,

with a handrail installed on the right side. A new door was

made on the side of the deck. The stairs were leveled and the

steps replaced. The house numbers were also replaced. The

homeowner said, “They did an excellent job. Both of the steps

were rotten and too steep. Everything worked out good!”

House # 33 A large crew from the USAF and St. Nicholas

Lutheran Church spent many hours helping out this elderly

widow. Keith Williams served as house captain for this team

providing some general repairs which included work on

flooring and subfloor repair, four interior door replacements,

and a handicap railing repair. The landing going down to the

basement was very weak and the floor landing was reinforced.

Improvements were also made to the gutters and deck.

Drywall was repaired/replaced. Additionally, the crew painted

three rooms and two bathrooms. “I really needed the help,”

said the homeowner. “I was desperate. Everything went real

well. The volunteers really felt like family.”

House # 34 A new septic was replaced for this homeowner by

Copsey’s Septic Tank Service. The homeowner is so grateful

this has been done and says it is a big relief.

House # 35 This home needed some immediate repairs to

help the homeowner get through the winter. Work was done

on this home in December over multiple days as part of

#Giving Tuesday. Volunteers from Jarboe Mechanical, Indoor

Clean Air, LLC, ASE Electrical, Exelon Generation, Cave to

Castle Remodeling and Harvest Fellowship Presbyterian

Church were organized by Larry Carter, house captain. The

existing broken oil furnace was removed and replaced with an

energy efficient heat pump. All existing ducts were cleaned

and needed electrical services were upgraded. The thankful

homeowner said, “This is the first time the house has been this

warm in years.” The carpet was replaced in the house and the

homeowner said that she had never had a carpet that

comfortable to walk on before. Other improvements included

replacing soffits, skirting the exterior of the home, repairing

roof leaks, repairing/replacing gutters, and repairing the

driveway. The interior of the home was painted, structural

repairs to some floors done ,and the floors in the hall and

bathroom were replaced. Kitchen cabinets, six light fixtures, a

bathroom vanity, medicine cabinet, and bathroom shelf were

replaced. Three smoke detectors were installed. Thanks to

Patuxent Habitat for Humanity and Floor Systems for support.

This home was sponsored by Jarboe Mechanical.

House # 36 Glenn Phelps made all of the arrangements for

these homeowners to have their well replaced by Winslow

Pump and Well, Inc. The well was drilled, the compression

tank replaced, and the old well capped off. This family of

seven went without water for eleven months, going elsewhere

to take showers and the husband bringing home water

everyday which would have to be heated for washing. The

wife said that things are “going awesome” and is thrilled that

they now have water for showers, washing dishes, and all of

their needs. This home was sponsored by Exelon Generation.

House # 37 Randy Kozik and Glenn Phelps led these twenty

three volunteers from Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic

Church and Chesapeake Contractors as they worked on this

home. Friday and Saturday, work was done by Church

volunteers on the exterior, removing damaged storm windows

and deteriorating single pane windows, then scraping peeling

paint, caulking, and priming and painting all the fascia, soffit,

and window trim. Some weather beaten and warped fascia on

the rear also needed replacement. On Saturday, Bill Whetzel

of Chesapeake Contractors installed and directed volunteers

in the installation of ten new vinyl replacement windows. In

addition, a leak in the roof was repaired. The existing

wheelchair ramp was power washed, the railings painted, and

the ramp was resurfaced with pressure treated plywood. The

teens focused on the yard work and assisted the grandson of

the homeowner in scrapping unusable “yard treasures”.

Much work was accomplished but more fulfillment was

gained by the volunteers who turned out to help a neighbor in

need. The homeowner said, “The work was better than

excellent. I am so proud!”

House # 39 This is the second home improved by volunteers

from Friendship United Methodist Church, with Ray

Wilkerson as house captain. These eleven volunteers replaced

the back steps and, according to the homeowner, built a new

stoop on the back. “I am really enjoying the deck and can

now take a chair out and sit there.” The porch roof was

replaced, as was the crawl space door. The tub was caulked.

Yard work was completed, with flowers being planted and

smoke detectors were added for safety. The homeowner

explained, “I had work to be done and did not know how to

get it done and then I found out about Christmas in April.”

House # 40 Twelve volunteers provided by the Calvert

County Lion’s Club and four Huntingtown High School

baseball players were led by Brian Owens, house captain, as

they improved the home of this older couple. The rear steps

were replaced with an 8’ x 10’ deck and a wheelchair ramp.

This has been especially “really helpful” to the wife who finds

it difficult to use steps now. Three coats of paint were put on

the entire kitchen and a storm door was installed. A dozen

bushes were planted, the entire yard was cleaned, and

mulching was done in the front of the house. The

homeowners said that the volunteers did “an excellent job”.

Thanks to Chesapeake Bounty and A. H. Hatcher Inc. for

support.

House # 41 A very large crew of fifty-three volunteers

worked on this home as the Eagle Scout Project of Charlie

Seehase, Troop 429, Chesapeake Beach. Scouts and

volunteers from Booz Allen Hamilton completed a myriad of

tasks to ensure the home was safe, secure, and warm. Large

tasks included the following: demolishing and rebuilding a

covered entry way for the basement, replacing and installing a

ceiling fan and light, replacing an upstairs window, patching

and painting the walls in two rooms, sealing and staining

decks and porches, installing a hand-rail on the basement

stairs, patching and painting a ceiling, patching and painting

an exterior basement wall, and installing drainage wells

around the basement windows. Other refurbishment projects

included securing a handrail on the porch, landscaping,

trimming trees, repairing a flag pole, painting exterior trim,

and screen repair. This home was sponsored by Booz Allen

Hamilton.

The homeowner and her family were most appreciative of

these improvements. “I can’t express how happy I am. They

did an awesome, awesome job. They went over and beyond

on things and it brought tears to my eyes. There were things

they saw that I never would have thought of.”

House # 42 The well compression tank was replaced and a

sediment filter was installed to improve the water pressure in

the home for this older, disabled couple. Water, which was

coming out in a dribble, is now flowing as it should. The

husband spent months in the hospital and in rehab and was

able to return to a home with good running water and life was

easier for his caregiver wife. “Thank you, thank God, thank

Christmas in April,” said the wife. Thanks to Glenn Phelps

who served as house captain.

House # 43 This is the second home worked on by

volunteers from Mt. Olive Methodist Church, with leadership

provided by Bobby Adams. This team repaired a leaking roof.

The roof was reflashed and shingles replaced. The drywall of

the affected area was repaired and painted. “They did a

wonderful job,” said the homeowner. “I would recommend

them to anybody.”

House # 44 This team of twenty volunteer cadets from

Patuxent High School NJROTC was led by Darlene Mazzone

and Jada Stuckert. The team had to first prep the exterior

surfaces of the house for painting and then applied two coats

of paint. The team also cut the grass, removed debris from the

yard, and recut and landscaped the flower beds. The cadets

worked with a great deal of energy and focus. The

homeowner stated he was very appreciative of all the work

and made the statement that if these young people are our

future military leaders, then our country is in good hands.

Lunch for the team was sponsored by Exelon Generation.

Thanks to Sneade’s Ace Hardware for project support.

Day of Caring In addition to working on a home for the Day

of Caring, Christmas in April helped out three non-profit

organizations.

Barstow Acres Children’s Center: This team was led by Jeff

York and Charlie Boyer. These ten volunteers constructed a

12’ x 12’ pergola for the use of the children using this center.

(A pergola is similar to a gazebo.) Thanks to Exelon

Generation, Prince Frederick Dodge, Insane Wood Creations,

the Calvert County Department of Zoning and Permits, Early

Bird Home Repair, A. H. Hatcher Inc. and Sneade’s Ace

Hardware for this accomplishment.

Calvert County Humane Society: A team consisting of Exelon

Generation, Kaine Homes, and Humane Society volunteers

completed numerous facility repairs at the Humane Society.

The group cleaned and reattached upper and lower gutters,

mulched, and added gravel to all the dog pens. Trees were

trimmed throughout the property, pot holes were filled in the

driveway, and the interior of all twenty-four dog runs were

painted. Thanks to Stacey Loftis who served as house captain.

Southern Maryland Community Network: Six volunteers, led

by Meagan Robinson, installed a sidewalk and provided yard

work for the residents of this home and this non-profit

organization.

Christmas in April*Calvert County, Inc. A United Way Member Agency

P.O. Box 2761

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Telephone: (410)535-9044

www. christmasinaprilcalvertcounty.org

Yes! I (We) would like to volunteer. Please contact me at:

_____________________________________________________________

I would like to donate the following material:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please contact me at: _________________________________________________________________________________________ _

Please remember us during the annual United Way campaign code : 44840; or Maryland Charity Campaign code 4919.

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ____________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________

Christmas in April*Calvert County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions may be tax deductible. Consult with your tax

adviser. Copies of the current financial statement are available on request by writing to or calling Christmas in April*Calvert

County, Inc., P.O. Box 2761, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, Telephone: 410-535-9044. For the cost of copies and postage, documents

and information submitted under this title are available from the Secretary of State.

Preparations Take Place Year Round for the April Workday

In July, Christmas in April*Calvert County, Inc., distributes Application/Referral forms to non-profit organizations, churches,

libraries, Office on Aging, Social Services, Health Department, and others. Applications for Christmas in April 2016 are due October

3, 2015. The application can be submitted by the homeowner or a family member, a neighbor, or by an organization with the consent

of the homeowner. All of the legal homeowners must live in their house. All work and materials are supplied free of charge to the

selected homeowner.

Once applications are received, the House Selection Committee meets and members of the committee, including a skilled labor

volunteer, visit application sites in October to determine the homeowner’s eligibility and the feasibility of repairs. The committee

then makes recommendations to the Board based on the need and Christmas in April’s ability to do the work. Homeowners will be

informed in January of the decision, once Christmas in April knows it has a House Captain and group to do the work on the approved

homes.

Parallel to the application process runs the selection of House Captains and groups to do the work for approved homes. Many of

these House Captains and their organizations have supported Christmas in April for many years. The next step involves lining up

House Captains with the different projects. The House Captain then meets with the homeowner to determine the work required.

Together they will determine a list of priorities. Based on the priorities, the House Captain then makes up a list of the supplies needed

for the workday, which will be ordered by the Home Logistics Committee and delivered to the home one to two days prior to the

workday. Homeowners who need more work done on their house than can be completed in one day are encouraged to reapply the

following year.

On the workday, hundreds of volunteers, providing skilled and unskilled labor, meet at the different work sites. Others work

behind the scenes, preparing lunches, and supplying logistic support. The planned amount of work is based on an eight hour workday.

Every House Captain will complete a report on the work done and the number of volunteer hours. A month later, members of the

House Selection Committee contact all homeowners to determine if all work was completed. The Board follows up until all work is

finished.

Funds for the workday are solicited throughout the year through the writing of grant applications, a mail campaign to the public,

events, and through the generosity of many businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Christmas in April*Calvert County, Inc.

P.O. Box 2761

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Telephone: 410-535-9044

www.christmasinaprilcalvertcounty.org