Since 1989, we have repaired more than 2,886 Homes with the help of 95,900 volunteers.
What is Christmas in April?
Christmas in April is a non-denominational volunteer organization that repairs the homes of senior citizens who are either low-income and/or physically challenged so they may live in warmth, safety, and independence. After months of planning and preparation, Christmas in April culminates in a one day repair effort on the last Saturday in April.
Christmas in April relies on the community for support from volunteers to repair the homes, and seeks funding from businesses, corporations and individuals.
The success of Christmas in April is due to the cooperative efforts of County government, private businesses, civic and community organizations, churches and synagogues.
Christmas in April restores crumbling neighborhoods and homeowner’s pride and dignity. Christmas in April is neighbor helping neighbor...people helping people.
What is the History of Christmas in April* Prince George’s County?
The Prince George’s County program was founded in 1989 under the leadership of Vincent “Cap” Mona of Mona Electric and the Prince George’s County Government under the leadership of then County Executive Parris N. Glendening. The program has grown from helping 30 homeowners in 1989 with 600 volunteers to helping 82 homeowners in 2018 with the help of 3,200 volunteers. Prince George’s County Executive, ANGELA ALSOBROOKS, has been involved with our program and continues to whole-heartedly support our efforts.
Testimonials
“Christmas in April has been a true blessing. We are so grateful for all that has been done, there were projects that we could not do because we are both handicapped. What the crew has done is like a dream come true. We could never thank you enough.”
“A dream and heart’s desire. I am overwhelmed with the work and workers. So thankful for this program.”
“Christmas in April means there are still good, loving, and caring souls to help give back to people in need.”
“I feel great in having people come and the things they did were more appreciated than I can say. Thanks again.”
“The people who came to my house made me feel like they were my family. I love them so much.”
“I appreciate everyone taking the time out of their schedules to help me get my house in order.”
In the Press
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“Low-income Prince George's County seniors to receive home repairs from volunteers” by ABC News
Watch it here: https://wjla.com/news/local/christmas-april-prince-georges-county-seniors-home-renovations-mel-jenkins
The Washington Post
Prince George’s police, others fix up houses for ‘Christmas in April’
Tom Jackman - Saturday
The stuff had been piling up in Mary Bell’s backyard for years. People just kept leaving stuff. Then starting Wednesday, the Prince George’s County police came to clear it away.
And by Saturday morning, the stuff was gone. The backyard was spotless. The security lights were changed. The wheelchair ramp firmed up. The driveway and front walk power-washed.
“The yard looks like it’s a brand new place,” Bell said as she looked out at her rejuvenated property in Oxon Hill. “I’m going to go back there and use my reclining wheelchair and relax.”
Before noon, the job was done, one of eight home improvement projects the Prince George’s police — aided by a set of teen Explorers — finished up Saturday as part of their 34th annual “Christmas in April” initiative. Every spring, the police get a list of homes which could use some help, and officers from all eight patrol divisions typically spend several days removing junk, cleaning and washing and blowing out yards and cluttered homes and, importantly, leaving a trail of good will behind.
“The PD?” Bell said. “They’re prompt and they’re good guys.”
In an age where police are beset by protests and violent videos, officers often enjoy the opportunity to show that they are truly involved in their communities, that they aren’t just reactive when crime erupts. That they care. “Christmas in April” is one way Prince George’s has reinforced that concept for decades.
© Barbara Eubanks/Barbara EubanksPrince George's County police officers build a drain Saturday to divert water away from Michael Caesar's house in Forestville, Md., as part of the police “Christmas in April” program.
“I feel these engagement programs work and make us better,” Prince George’s Chief Malik Aziz said while standing in the newly cleaned front yard. “It’s really about the direction of our county executive [Angela Alsobrooks] to continue to build a better police and community relationship, having officers and young Explorer groups and residents engage in these types of partnerships.”
The officers usually do a lot of interior cleaning, sometimes helping with residents who have hoarding problems, Cpl. Danielle Ross said. At one house last year, “we had to reorganize lot of stuff,” clean out animal poop and help alleviate a hoarding problem, Ross said. Each of the eight projects the police do annually often start on Wednesdays, giving crews three or four days to refurbish a property.
“After we do the work, we’ll follow up,” Ross said, “checking on the homeowner a year later, and we build up the rapport.”
In Oxon Hill, Bell “had a wish list, and we pretty much did everything on it,” Capt. Dorian Johnson said. Gutters were checked and cleaned. Leaves and lawn debris were blown and scooped up. Giant bags of assorted, well, stuff was taken to the curb and then hauled away Saturday.
© Kwesi Dadzie/Prince George's County Police DepartmentCapt. Dorian Johnson of the Prince George's County Police Department helped fix up a home in Oxon Hill on Sat., April 30, 2022, as part of the department's 34th annual "Christmas in April" program.
Meanwhile, in Forestville, Prince George’s officers from Division 8 dug a drain to divert water from Michael Caesar’s house, while members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters’ Local 197 repaired some concrete steps and then built a landing in the front of the house, Caesar’s niece, Barbara Eubanks, said. The officers also planted shrubs, fixed all of the drains, and hauled away more bags of stuff which had built up in Caesar’s house, said his niece, who is also his caretaker.
She said police came out a couple of times to inspect the property and make preparations for the work, which they completed in one day.
“Christmas in April is just wonderful,” Eubanks said. “My uncle was just thrilled, the whole thing just made his day.” She said the repaired steps and landing would enable him to check his mail again, which had been difficult before. “They cleaned up the yard, they got rid of a bunch of brush, they got rid of a lot of junk from inside. Me and four others were like ‘We’re doing this at our house.’”