Christmas in April volunteers from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and St. Mary’s County worked in 30 degree weather yesterday morning on their first project of the year. The volunteers cleared the underside of a trailer to make room for a furnace and major bathroom repairs, neither of which were installed in the home housing a woman and her three children. First row, left to right: SMCM student Taylore Mountain ’10, of Woodbridge, Virginia; SMCM student Lauren Ramsay ’10, of Ellicott City, Maryland; SMCM student Danny Marris ’10, of Parkville, Maryland; SMCM student Stephanie Hartwick ’10, of Lexington Park, Maryland; (second row, left to right) Bob Morehouse; SMCM student Donald Redmiles ’10, of Annapolis, Maryland; Mary Ann Chasen, executive director of St. Mary’s County Christmas in April; and Fred Morton. (Submitted photo)
ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. (Jan. 27, 2010) — This year’s Christmas in April program has begun a little earlier than expected, thanks to volunteers from St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) and St. Mary’s County. Students and the community convened with little notice in Park Hall to clear out the underside of a trailer home and make room for a furnace and major bathroom repairs, neither of which were installed in the home occupied by a woman and her three children. The woman needed a furnace and bathroom repairs immediately.
Christmas in April acted this week rather than waiting until their traditional April date. With St. Mary’s County Christmas in April purchasing the furnace, Winters Heating and Cooling are donating their services, along with additional materials, later this week, while A&K Plumbing will donate their services with major bathroom repairs.
St. Mary’s County Christmas in April is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, a national volunteer organization that renovates homes of low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals. St. Mary’s College has been involved in the program since its inception, providing working hands and open hearts to many families throughout the years.