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

Volume 5 P.O. Box 2761 Prince Frederick, MD 20678 410-535-9044 Fall 2014

Board of Directors: Bill Lloyd, President

Rex Bowling, Vice President

Sean McGowan, Treasurer

Randy Kozik, Secretary

Richard Alu

Steve Brooks

Christa Conant

Barbara DeHenzel Lloyd

John Lee

Jay Maisel

Carolyn Mohler

Glenn Phelps

Adam Sanders

Steve Sanders

Guffrie Smith

Webmaster:

Adam Sanders

Honorary Board Members:

Pat Buehler

Mike Burns

Linda Herdeman

Mike Herdeman

In 2013, more than 600 Christmas in April volun-

teers donated 6800 plus hours to prepare for and re-

pair the thirty-four homes described in this newslet-

ter. One satisfied homeowner said that it was “like

angels in disguise” showed up to work on her home.

A house captain described the work day as “a day

filled with generosity, smiles, kindness, and camara-

derie by both homeowners and volunteers.” Since

1991, Christmas in April volunteers have improved

674 homes.

Donors of $2,000 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 for-

tunate to have sponsors for fourteen homes this year.

Special thanks to the World Championship Punkin

Chunkin Association for sponsoring four homes and

to Exelon Generation for the sponsorship of three

homes. Please see the list of sponsors on page 3.

Special thanks to Sneade’s Ace Home Center for it’s

donation which supported most houses through it’s

contribution of supplies. Appreciation goes to

Patuxent Habitat for Humanity for supplying paint

for twelve homes.

We also want to recognize all employees from

Exelon Generation who volunteered many hours

throughout the year for Christmas in April, enabling

Christmas in April to receive matching funds from

Exelon Generation. Christmas in April*Calvert

County, Inc. is proud to announce that employees of

Exelon Generation were honored in May by Exelon

as an Excellence Award Winner for outstanding

volunteerism. This recognition provided a $20,000

grant to Christmas in April*Calvert County, Inc. for

their dedication to this program.

The support of the community has been overwhelm-

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

tributors to our workday, a description of the work-

day homes worked on by Christmas in April, and a

calendar for the coming year. Please check the web-

site for more information.

Jim Baker Exelon Generation

John Brauner Our Lady Star of the Sea Knights of Columbus Council 9258

Steve Brooks Calvert Lighthouse Church

Stephanie Burgess Davis, Upton, Palumbo and Dougherty, LLC

Larry Carter Harvest Fellowship Presbyterian Church

Mike Clarry Maryland Crush Fastpitch Softball Team

Steve Collins Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Frank Crawford The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Emanuel Demedis Calvert County Bar Association

Cliff Donaldson Maryland Crush Fastpitch Softball Team

Bob Filippi Bartlet Nuclear Inc.

Michael Freeburger Early Bird Home Services

David Fondelier Smithville United Methodist Church

Fritz Friton Emanuel Baptist Church

Andrew Gibbs Affordable Solutions

Brenda Gibbs Affordable Solutions

Rick Hilmer Prince Georges County Government

Everard Johnson Mount Olive United Methodist Church

Terry Johnson Dominion LNG Cove Point

Don King Dominion LNG Cove Point

Jessica Koehn Exelon Generation

Randy Kozik Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Mandi Kuidlan IET Corporation

Bill LaDuke The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

George Leah Calvert Kiwanis Club and Calvert County Board of

Education

John Lee Insane Wood Creations

Jay Maisel Maisel Electric

Vince Maldonado Our Lady Star of the Sea Knights of Columbus

Council 9258

Frank McPhillips All Saints Episcopal Church

Tom Merkle Arrow Construction

Donnie Morgan Maryland Crush Fastpitch SoftballTeam

Lisa Morgan Maryland Crush Fastpitch Softball Team

Brian Owens Calvert County Lions Club

Amanda Pellettiere Exelon Generation

Joe Penn Howlin Concrete

Glenn Phelps Cave to Castle Remodeling; Jesus the Good Shepherd

Catholic Church

Krystal Ringley IET Corporation

Bob Robertson Huntingtown United Methodist Church

Derek Taylor Howlin Concrete

Ron Waters Life Church

Ray Wilkerson Friendship United Methodist Church

Keith Williams St. Nicholas Lutheran Church

Dan Wilson Wilson Properties, Inc.

Jeff York Exelon Generation

House Captains and House Partners

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

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 2014 work day.

Anonymous

A. H. Hatcher Inc.

Robert Abner

Adams Carpentry Service

Affordable Solutions

All Saints Episcopal Church

Arrow Construction

Arrow Electric *

Assured Comfort Services, LLC

Bartlett Nuclear Inc.

Jeanne and John Bateman

Barbara and Richard Beers

Gordon Bowen

Rex Bowling

Bright Horizons Day Care

Brothers Johnson Septic Service

Builders Care

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant

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 Lighthouse Church

Cave to Castle Remodeling

Chapman and Bowling

Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa

Chesapeake Current

Christ Church Parish

Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints

Steve Collins

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

Joe Crunkleton

William E. Cutlip

Cumberland and Erly

D.A. Hughes & Associates

Dan Brumsted

Davis, Upton, Palumbo and Dougherty,

LLC

Day & Zimmerman

Dean Lumber & Supply Company

Delaney & Keffler

Dominion Cove Point LNG *

Dominion Employee Giving

Dunkirk Hardware and Home Center

Dunkirk Supply

Early Bird Home Repair

Joy A. Early

Exelon Foundation

Exelon Generation * (Multiple home

sponsor)

Susan Flint

Floor Systems, Inc. – Huntingtown

Matt Forsbacka

Friendship United Methodist Church

Rex Fuller Law Firm

Robert and Tatiana Gallagher

Matt Gorsack

Dennis Grey

Griffin’s Flooring America

Habitat for Humanity

Halsey Construction

Harvest Fellowship Presbyterian Church *

HELP Association

Mike Hart for Calvert County

Commissioner

Keith Hoffman

Josef A. Horak

Home Builders Care Foundation

Howlin Concrete, Inc.

Rep. Steny Hoyer

D A Hughes and Associates

Huntingtown High School

Huntingtown United Methodist Church

IET (Integrated Electrical Technology

Corporation) *

Insane Wood Creations

J & S Signature Construction

Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Lorraine Joyner

Kiwanis Club of Calvert County

Warren Krug

Larry’s Auto Service, LLC

John Lee

Levitt’s Farm

Life Church

Laurence Consultants

David Lynch

Maisel Electric Heating and Air

Michael Martin

Maryland Charity Campaign

Maryland Crush Fastpitch Softball Team

McCullough Construction

Sean McGowan, CPA, Tax and

Accounting Services

Tracy McKirgan

The McNelis Group Real Estate Services

George Meng

Mike’s Remodeling

Thomas Miller Electric

Tina Minor

Dennis and Marjorie Montana

Mt. Olive United Methodist Church

Network for Good

Our Lady Star of the Sea Knights of

Columbus Council 9285

Patuxent Habitat for Humanity

Patuxent United Methodist Church

Margaret H. Phipps

Pamela Platt

Paul Hayden Plumbing

Pickett & Olivero

Prince Frederick Girl Scouts

Prince George’s County Government

PNC Bank *

Quality Built Homes, Inc.

Rausch Funeral Home

Rita Reeves

Cristi Reid

Emily Rupard

Ryan Homes Mid-Atlantic

Adam Sanders

Steve Sanders

Terry and Rosemary Shepherd

SMECO

Smithville United Methodist Church *

Sneade’s Ace Home Center

St. Nicholas Lutheran Church

Staples Law Firm

Peggy Stringfellow

T. F. Miller Inc.

231 Farm, Home and Pet Center

The Calvert Recorder

Thomas L. Hance, Inc.

Trust

United Way of Calvert County

United Way of Calvert County Designated

Giving

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

W. H. Lloyd Construction

Walls Plumbing

Wilson Properties Inc.

World Championship Punkin Chunkin

Association * (Multiple home sponsor)

John Youtcheff

Klaus Zwilsky and Roberta Safer

House Sponsors Arrow Electric

Calvert County Bar Association

Dominion LNG

Exelon Generation (3 homes)

Harvest Fellowship Presbyterian Church

IET Corporation

PNC Bank

Smithville United Methodist Church

World Championship Punkin Chunkin

Association (4 homes)

Contributors $1000 to $1999 Anonymous

Smithville United Methodist Church

Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa

Sanders, Steve

SMECO

Tee shirt Sponsors Assured Comfort Services, LLC

Cave to Castle Remodeling

Dominion Cove Point

Exelon Generation

IET, Inc.

Larry’s Auto Service

Mike Hart for Calvert County

Commissioner

Sneade’s ACE Hardware

The McNelis Group Real Estate Services

Thomas Miller Electric

W. H. Lloyd Construction

World Championship Punkin Chunkin

Association

The following made lunch for volunteers possible: Dominion LNG

Exelon Generation

Maryland Crush Fastpitch Softball Team

Patuxent United Methodist Church

Area Coordinators

Rex Bowling (NASA)

John Lee (Insane Wood Creations)

Bill Lloyd (W. H. Lloyd Construction)

Jay Maisel (Maisel Electric)

Glenn Phelps (Cave to Castle Remodeling)

Steve Sanders (Exelon Generation)

House Selection Committee Carolyn Mohler, Chairperson

Richard Alu

Pat Baumann

Rex Bowling

Rick Branch

Donna Cochran

Christa Conant

Barbara DeHenzel-Lloyd

John Hofmann

John Lee

Jay Maisel

Glenn Phelps

Adam Sanders

Steve Sanders

Guffrie Smith

Tunya Taylor

Dan Wilson

Logistics Committee Steve Sanders, Logistics Coordinator

Rex Bowling

Barbara DeHenzel-Lloyd

John Lee

Bill Lloyd

Jay Maisel

Glenn Phelps

Adam Sanders

Thanks to all who offered support and encouragement to Christmas in April’s 2014 effort. We acknowledge with gratitude those who

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

Calendar 2014-2015 _______________________________________________________________________________________

September 2014 September 10: Christmas in April will work on a home for

the annual United Way Day of Caring.

September 30: Applications are due for the 2015 workday.

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.

October 2014 House Selection Committees visit the homes of applicants.

November 2014 Board approves houses to be repaired on April 2015 workday.

December 2014 House captains are assigned to houses.

Houses selected for April workday receive

confirmation letter.

January 2015 House captains visit homes, determine work, and

develop supply list.

April 2015 April 25 National Workday

Christmas in April will work on multiple houses in Calvert

County.

The following information gives a brief summary of the improvements made on each home in 2014.

"Christmas in April is amazing people getting together who go around to do things that homeowners cannot afford."

"When things improve, that enhances yourself. Especially for a widow who sees things going down. It was really beautiful."

Quotes from April 2014 recipients

United Way Day of Caring - September 2013 Twenty-five

volunteers from Exelon, Day and Zimmerman, the US Nuclear

Regulatory Commission, Insane Wood Creations and the

Bauman family worked multiple days in September on this

home. The house captains were Jessica Koehn and Amanda

Pellettier from Exelon Generation. Jim Baker, Stacey Loftis,

Pat Bauman, Calvin Hancock, and Dave Frye served as area

leads. The back deck was replaced and the side deck was

cleaned and restained. Flower beds were weeded, trimmed,

and mulched. Exterior doors were repainted, gutters cleaned

and the basement was cleaned out. The bathroom floor,

vanity, and sink were replaced and interior painting was done.

The homeowner was very grateful and gracious. The entire

team thoroughly enjoyed working on her home. Thanks to

Sneade’s ACE Hardware and A. H. Hatcher for their

contributions. Another Day of Caring project, with volunteers

from Exelon Generation, made improvements on a Southern

Maryland Community Network home.

Ten volunteers from Exelon worked at the Southern Maryland

Community Network Crisis House over a three day period.

The volunteers reshaped and mulched flower beds, repainted

the front porch and entryway, removed and replaced three

lighting fixtures, removed and replaced an existing bathtub

with a handicap accessible shower stall.

House # 1 Twenty volunteers from Friendship United

Methodist Church, with Ray Wilkerson as house captain,

replaced the rotten well pump covering on this home. The

kitchen was painted as well as the ceilings in the dining room

and living room. Outside, the gable and window frames were

scraped and painted. Repairs were made to the brick wall

around the flower bed, brush was cleaned from the yard, and

trash was hauled away. The homeowner’s daughter described

the work as really amazing and said that “Christmas in April is

amazing people getting together who go around to do things

that homeowners cannot afford.” PNC bank sponsored this

home.

House # 2 Three volunteers, also from Friendship United

Methodist Church, replaced the wooden basement door with a

sliding glass door to make the home warmer and safer. Under

the direction of Ray Wilkerson, house captain, a gutter was

installed on the rear of the home and the front gutters were

cleaned. The home owner said that all work requested was

completed and that the volunteers were “like angels in

disguise.”

House # 3 With Dave Fondelier as house captain, twenty-six

volunteers from Smithville United Methodist Church made

many improvements on this home. Vinyl floor tile, a raised

toilet, medicine closet and a shelf were installed in the

bathroom. Two downstairs windows were replaced and four

kitchen cabinets and a sink base were installed in the kitchen.

Two sets of shutters and fascia board were replaced and a

gutter was reattached. Additionally, the living room and

exterior doors were painted and azaleas were planted. The

homeowner said the work made her home “look outstanding”.

Smithville United Methodist Church sponsored this home.

House # 4 Ten volunteers from the Calvert County Lions

Club and three Huntingtown High School students, under the

supervision of Brian Owens house captain, made accessibility

improvements for this 99 year old widow and her caregiver

daughter. Their first job was refurbishing the existing

wheelchair ramp. The hand rails were also replaced. The

second job involved widening the bathroom door. The

existing 24” door was removed, the frame widened, and a new

30” door installed. Lastly, a sidewalk was fashioned between

the end of the wheelchair ramp and the driveway. The

sidewalk was made out of 12’ x 12’ concrete pavers and

framed by 2’ x 6’ lumber. They described the homeowner as

very gracious. She had baked cupcakes and brownies for the

volunteers. The daughter said the volunteers “were so nice

and happy” and that these improvements have eased her

responsibilities as caregiver.

House # 5 A team of nine volunteers from St. Nicholas

Lutheran Church, directed by Keith Williams, house captain,

completed work on a porch the homeowner had framed in but

could not complete due to a stroke,. Drywall was put up in the

porch area and main house and siding was installed.

Insulation was added to a wall and the attic. An old pump

house was taken down and trash and debris removed from the

home. The homeowner said that the volunteers “got a

tremendous amount done. They were very knowledgeable and

everything fell into place.”

House # 6 Dan Wilson, house captain, with volunteers from

Wilson Properties, made life much easier for this older couple

by installing a ramp at the front door. Another big

improvement was giving the homeowners a washer and dryer

and installing them on the first floor of the house. No longer

do they have to go down steps to the basement to do the

laundry. “Everything went fine and they did a good job,”

according to the homeowners.

House # 7 Two homes, located on the same property,

received repairs from volunteers from the Calvert Lighthouse

Church, with Steve Brooks as house captain. The roof was

patched on one of the homes. According to the family, “This

home was in terrible shape and we have had some hard rains

since then and there are no leaks.” The living room was also

painted. On the other house, electrical work was done and a

new vanity and sink were put in a bathroom. The grass was

cut and bushes trimmed. A shed was torn down for safety

reasons and much trash and debris was removed.

House # 8 Randy Kozik and Glenn Phelps served as house

captains for sixteen volunteers from Jesus the Good Shepherd

Catholic Church for the work on this home. Much of the

morning was devoted to working with the exterior of the

house and yard. A long open ended shed was emptied of

accumulated “yard treasures.” These contents, along with a 12

x 12 shed destroyed by a storm three years ago, were loaded

into a stake body truck and hauled to fill up the dumpster. In

its place, a new storage area was constructed to provide

storage for a lawn tractor and equipment. Cracks were

patched in the patio and an area of the front walk resurfaced

that was crumbling and becoming a safety issue. After lunch,

some significant settlement cracks in the living room drywall

were taped, patched, and painted. An unstable wrought iron

railing and 6 foot hand railing, deemed as accidents ready to

happen, were replaced. The day was filled with generosity,

smiles, kindness, and camaraderie by both homeowners and

volunteers.

House # 9 Volunteers from Arrow Electric replaced eight

windows in the living room and bathroom of this home. The

elderly homeowner said that it has been a couple of years

since she could open her windows so she is very pleased. A

hole was repaired behind the washing machine. The

homeowner expressed her appreciation by calling Christmas in

April “a blessing” and said “It means a whole lot as I live

alone on very limited income and have no money left over for

extras.” This home was sponsored by Arrow Electric.

House # 10 Jay Maisel and Rick Hilmer were the house

captains for seven volunteers from the Prince George’s

County Government who removed the old kitchen cabinets,

sink, and faucet, replacing them with new ones. They also

brought the existing porch up to code by replacing the rotted

stairs and adding guard rails along the porch. The homeowner

described the improvements to her home as “perfect” and said

that it is now so much easier for her to get up and down her

steps. “I just love it!” Thanks also go to Hillis-Carnes,

Laurence Consultants, Halsey Construction, and Mike’s

Remodeling.

House # 11 The numerous volunteers from Maryland Orange

Crush Softball, led by Donnie and Lisa Morgan and Cliff

Donaldson, house captains, made many improvements on this

home for an elderly woman. Putting new tile on the kitchen

floor really made a difference. Other enhancements included

painting the living room and back deck and power washing the

garage. Yard work was done. The homeowner said, “When

things improve, that enhances yourself. Especially for a

widow who see things going down. It was really beautiful.”

Exelon Generation sponsored this home.

House # 12 Howlin Concrete provided eleven volunteers,

guided by Derek Taylor, house captain, to do the repairs on

this home. The rear entry door was replaced, rotting floor

repaired, and a broken window pane in the basement was

replaced. All windows were wire brushed, scraped, caulked,

and painted. The basement door was painted and caulked.

Four storm windows were replaced. Safety repairs were made

to the rotten steel front porch railing and posts by replacing

them with a wood railing and posts.

House # 13 This team of four volunteers, with John Lee as

house captain, transformed a traditional bath tub into a

handicapped shower. The team also reshaped and mulched

flower beds and replaced and painted trim within the

bathroom. Special thanks to Prince Frederick Dodge, Insane

Wood Creations, Cave to Castle Remodeling, and Exelon

Generation for their contributions toward the improvements

made on this home and an enhanced quality of life for the

homeowner.

House # 14 Nineteen volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of

Calvert and the Calvert County Board of Education provided

needed repairs to this home under the supervision of George

Leah, house captain. Of most importance, for perhaps five

dollars in cost for electrical material, a potential tragedy was

averted. A new bathroom electrical receptacle and some new

wire were installed. The previous wires were grounded and

hot which could have had catastrophic consequences. The

smoke detector had been removed so a new one was installed.

The kitchen sliding patio door was replaced as was the kitchen

vinyl floor. Repairs were made to the aluminum soffit and

gutters were repaired or replaced. Doors and windows were

painted and the yard was cleaned up. “Amazing people were

there,” said the homeowner. “This took a lot of worry off my

shoulders.”

House # 15 Nine volunteers, under house captain Larry

Carter, from Harvest Fellowship Presbyterian Church had

many outside tasks for the home. These included

repairing/replacing fascia board in the back, gutters in the

front and back, painting, repairing siding, raking and cleaning,

painting shutters, and installing a storm door. Work was also

done inside the home. The kitchen ceiling and walls were

painted. A new water heater was added. As the new floor was

being put down in the bathroom, they noticed significant dry

rot and cracks around the commode drain. This was also

repaired. The homeowner was very pleased with all of the

improvements to her house. Harvest Fellowship United

Methodist Church sponsored this home.

House # 16 Howlin Concrete worked on a second home,

providing four volunteers for this house, with Joe Penn as

house captain. The rear shutters were taken down and the

siding was washed and holes were caulked where the shutters

were removed. A side shutter was replaced. The window

glazing was cut out in four windows and caulked. Because of

the steepness of the slope of the roof, a contractor was hired at

a later date to make roof repairs. The homeowner said that “it

is good, after four years, to not see those tarps up there

anymore.”

House # 17 Eleven volunteers from the Calvert County Bar

Association, led by Emanuel Demedis, made structural and

safety improvements for this homeowner who is dealing with

cancer. The living room floor, which was sinking in, was

reinforced. The carpet was removed and a laminate floor was

installed. The old sidewalk, which had been messed up from

the earthquake, according to the homeowner, was removed

and a new one was put down. The staircase was reinforced

and the entry painted. The homeowner said that these

“excellent improvements made a big change, especially in her

living room and made the home a lot safer for her.” This

house was sponsored by the Calvert County Bar Association.

House # 18 The Calvert County Bar Association provided

eleven volunteers for this second home that they worked on

for Christmas in April. Emanuel Demedis was also house

captain for this house. The old deck was removed and a new

one installed. The homeowner had not been able to use the

back door as the deck was so unsafe. The old kitchen cabinets

were removed and replaced with new ones, including a new

sink and faucet. “The back door had a big gap in it and the

screen door was about gone,” said the homeowner. Both

were replaced. Roof leaks had been causing a lot of problems

and these repairs were made. The homeowner rates the

quality of work, as well as the volunteers, at “110%. It went

perfect!”

House # 19 John Brauner and Vince Maldonado, co-captains

for the Knights of Columbus, and their eighteen volunteers

made this house more accessible for the homeowners. Both

the husband and wife will benefit from the wheelchair ramp.

The volunteers could use the existing deck as a starting point

for the ramp. They say that “it works beautifully.” Two storm

doors were installed and a large amount of yard debris was

removed. The happy couple expressed that there was no way

they could afford this. “The volunteers all worked together

well to get everything done.” Thanks also go to volunteers

from Exelon and Insane Wood Creations. Exelon Generation

sponsored this home.

House # 20 A team of twenty volunteers from Early Bird

Home Repair and Exelon improved the exterior and

surroundings of the United Way House, under the supervision

of Michael Freeburger and Jeff York, house captains. All

exterior trim was painted, along with the back shutters and the

gazebo. The team cleaned and organized a shed, cleaned

gutters and installed gutter guards. They also rebuilt a picnic

table and performed general gardening/yard clean up. The

United Way expressed their thanks by stating, “We are truly

blessed to have Christmas in April as a partner and all the

wonderful volunteers that have worked so selflessly to make

the community a great place to live.” The World

Championship Punkin Chunkin Association sponsored this

home.

House # 21 Twenty-five volunteers from Dominion Cove

Point LNG, guided by Terry Johnson and Susie Lopez, house

captains, made many improvements to this house. Of most

importance was the construction of a wheelchair ramp.

“Instead of taking three people to get our mother in and out of

the house, one person can now perform this responsibility

alone,” said a grateful family member. The entire exterior of

the home was painted. A section of gutter was replaced as

were two storm doors. Yard work was also performed, the

gutters were cleaned, and trash hauled away. This home was

sponsored by Dominion Cove Point LNG.

House # 22 Volunteers from Exelon Generation worked on

this home with house captain, Jeff York. Yard work was

performed with most of a tree removed that had been downed

during Hurricane Sandy. Drainfields were put in so that

“when it rains, the rain doesn’t sit in the front yard like an

ocean. Major work was done on the driveway, with special

thanks to Bob Filippi. Cars would not come down the

driveway. The homeowner had to be carried up the hill to an

ambulance on a cold, rainy day in December. There is now a

wonderful, usable driveway. The homeowner says “It is a big

deal!! I am very excited – you just don’t know how much.”

The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association

sponsored this home.

House # 23 The Integrated Electrical Technology (IET)

Corporation provided twenty-three volunteers to work on this

home under the direction of Mandi Kuidlan and Krystal

Ringley, house captains. Seventeen windows were replaced,

creating a more energy efficient home. A tree was removed

and the yard cleaned up. An electrical hookup was installed

and repairs were made to the toilet. A family member and one

of the caregivers for the homeowner said that “They did a

wonderful, wonderful job. Everybody who came did a good

job and all worked hard.” The IET Corporation sponsored this

home.

House # 24 The IET Corporation also worked on this home

with eleven volunteers and Shaun Cooper as house captain.

All of the existing kitchen cabinets were demolished and

replaced. According to the homeowner, the cabinets were

falling off the walls. “The kitchen went from a disaster to a

fine piece of china.” The subflooring in the kitchen was

repaired and new tile was installed. All of the gutters were

cleaned and the yard was also cleaned up. Old furniture was

removed, as requested by the homeowner. The homeowner

said that the “Guys were very, very nice and very pleasant to

be around. When my finances get better, I would like to give

back.”

House # 25 The main project for the thirteen volunteers from

All Saints Episcopal Church, with Frank McPhillips as house

captain, was to extend the front stoop into a larger platform

out from the house and then build a twenty-two foot

wheelchair ramp. The homeowner sat inside the front door

watching the whole day and, when the volunteers were

cleaning up, she came out to tell them how excited she was.

The several steps that it took to get in and out of the house

prior to the ramp really made it difficult for her to leave her

house. She now has the option to come and go as she pleases.

Some minor repairs were also made to the soffit and flashing

where the roofs meet over the back deck. Some repairs were

also made to the deck and stairs. The homeowner says,” I

love it! I love it!” The World Championship Punkin Chunkin

Association sponsored this home.

House # 26 Thanks to four volunteers from Cave to Castle

Remodeling, Insane Wood Creations, Day and Zimmerman,

and Exelon, with Glenn Phelps serving as house captain,

gutters and down spouts were installed on the front and rear of

the house. The homeowner is thankful to have this

improvement to her home and says that she is very pleased

with the work of the volunteers who were “very respectful”.

House # 27 Fritz Friton, house captain, with ten volunteers,

installed four new kitchen cabinets and two new custom made

counter tops for this homeowner who says the kitchen looks

“amazing”. The leak under the sink was fixed and repairs

were made to the roof. Paneling was installed in the living

room and bedroom. Yard work was done and trash hauled

away. The installation of smoke detectors and a CO detector

added to the safety of the home. “I am very thankful for

everything and everything went great,” said the homeowner.

This home was sponsored by the World Championship Punkin

Chunkin Association.

House # 28 Many repairs and improvements were made to

this home by thirty volunteers from Huntingtown United

Methodist Church, under the guidance of Bob Robertson,

house captain. New decking was installed, along with a

railing for a 10’ x 24’ deck, landing, and staircase. A washer

and dryer were hooked up. Other work included installing a

sliding glass door in the basement, repairs to an interior and

exterior door, and the painting of the living room, hallway,

and dining room. One interior and one exterior light were

installed and a utility sink was replaced. Three garden beds

were made, roses and other flowers planted, and the lawn

mowed. Dunkirk Supply, Sneade’s ACE Hardware, and Paul

Hayden Plumbing are also to be thanked for their

contributions. “Thank God for those people. I give them

100%,” enthused the homeowner.

House # 29 Four volunteers from Affordable Solutions, with

Andrew and Brenda Gibbs as house captains, provided the

needed improvements on this home. The volunteers found

three broken trusses when the shingles and plywood were

removed. These were repaired and new plywood and shingles

were installed. Damaged gutters were replaced or repaired.

The rusted and rotten door to the basement was removed and a

new treated wood door installed. The two broken sashes had

new glass put in them. The poorly constructed fire place flu

was taken down and reframed and the rotten plywood on the

roof around the old flu was replaced. New shingles were then

placed in the area. New ceiling insulation was installed in the

basement where it was missing. The homeowner expressed

her thanks, saying that her insurance was up in the air and now

all is fine with it. “God Bless You!”

House # 30 This new team of eight volunteers from Mt. Olive

United Methodist Church, with Everard Johnson as house

captain, met for breakfast and prayer prior to traveling to this

home. The steps into the home were repaired and the

homeowner feels much safer with this improvement and does

not have to back down the steps to open the door any more.

The bathroom walls were painted and a screen door installed.

Some floor repairs were made in the kitchen and the deck was

cleaned. Repairs were made to the bathroom sink.

Appreciation is given to Adams Carpentry Service for their

donation to this project.

House # 32 Stephanie Burgess served as house captain for the

fifteen volunteers from Davis, Upton and Palumbo who made

a real difference for this home and the homeowner. A new 4’

x 4’ landing and steps were built at the back door. The

homeowner had not been able to use this door due to the bad

steps. Glass was replaced on the front porch where one panel

was broken and another missing. Three layers of wood had to

be torn off part of the roof before repairs could be made. The

living room and kitchen were painted. The floor was replaced

in the living room and kitchen and the subfloor was replaced

in the bathroom, along with plumbing pipes. The homeowner

said, “I am so happy I don’t know what to do. They did a

wonderful, wonderful job.” She also appreciated the special

touches of gifts of two little chairs, two bowls of flowers, and

a humming bird feeder. This home was sponsored by the

World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association.

House # 33 Life Church, new to Christmas in April this year,

offered to work on three homes. Five volunteers, with Ron

Waters as house captain, repaired the roof of this home and

put up new hand railings on the steps. These were very

needed improvements. The homeowner had been hesitant to

use her back steps prior to this work because they were not

safe. The front door glass was repaired. The homeowner said

that “Everything they did was beautiful and I appreciate it so

much!”

House # 34 Ron Waters again served as house captain for the

three volunteers from Life Church who made repairs to the

deck of this home. The deck was wobbly, according to the

homeowner, and needed reinforcement to make it sturdier.

Repairs were also made to the handrail, creating a safer home

environment.

House # 35 Three volunteers, also from Life Church with

Ron Waters again as house captain, improved the deck for this

elderly couple. The volunteers were able to steady the deck

and make repairs to the ramp which had some boards that

were warped. The homeowners said, “A couple of the boards

would throw you for a loop if you did not know where they

were.” Three columns on the front porch were painted.

“Everything went fine – fantastic,” said the homeowners.

National Volunteer Day – April 14, 2014 Twenty-six

volunteers from Early Bird Home Services, Exelon, and W. H.

Lloyd Construction made repairs to the United Way House for

this special day. Michael Freeburger and Jeff York

coordinated as house captains. Repairs were made to the

deck. Painting was done on the exterior trim, shutters, and the

gazebo. The gutters were cleaned and gutter guards were

installed. Major yard work was completed, two trees were

removed, and a shed was cleaned out. The breaker panel was

repaired and ceiling fans were installed, along with an

overhead light.

Nine additional volunteers from Cave to Castle Remodeling

and Exelon, with Adam Sanders as house captain, made

improvements to a Southern Maryland Community Network

home on this day. The team of volunteers demolished and

removed a 32’ x 14’ deck and prepared the area for

reinstallation of a new deck.

Additional volunteer projects

In November, six volunteers from Exelon and W. H. Lloyd

Construction worked to strip, sand, and refinish the first level

floors at the United Way House in Prince Frederick.

In January, twelve volunteers from Exelon, along with friends

and family, assisted the Southern Maryland Community

Network by performing work at their group home in

Chesapeake Beach. The team painted the entire basement,

removed and replaced ceiling tiles, removed and replaced

lighting fixtures, and removed and replaced a kitchen sink.

Two electrical outlets were installed.

Christmas in April*Calvert County, Inc.

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 August, 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 2015 were

due September 30, 2014. 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 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

December, 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 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 more than 600 volunteers, 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