Christmas in April

God’s Strength through Building Repairs

Christmas in April Calvert County partners with Calvert County churches, businesses, civic organizations, schools, and individual volunteers to help repair / improve the homes of low income Calvert County homeowners and their families so they can live with warmth, safety, and independence. 

Since 1995 on the last week in April, Jesus the Good Shepherd's team has contributed their time, skill, and camaraderie to repair the homes and help renew the spirit of these residents. They may be seniors 65+ years old with mobility needs, low income families with children, veterans, or families with disabled residents who need accommodations or repairs.

Repairs range from building ramps, porches, stairs and railings; replacing bathroom floors, installing ADA toilets and showers; installing windows and doors to plenty of siding and deck washing, painting, yard rejuvenations, discarding of yard treasures, and maintenance tasks familiar to many homeowners. Roofs and HVAC work is usually contracted out. Skilled tradespeople are great teachers and very willing to help some of us less skilled. All are welcome to join - 14 years and older.

The ministry holds its annual workday on the last Saturday in April, with a few people handling planning, preparation, organizing materials, and setting up tools on Friday to ensure everything runs smoothly the next day. The usual schedule starts at 7:30 and goes until a lunch break at 12:00, followed by wrapping up, gathering tools, cleaning up, taking a group picture with the homeowner, and finishing the day around 1:00 to 1:30.

Jesus the Good Shepherd has a dedicated group of 6-7 volunteers who tackle special projects and urgent repairs, such as wheelchair ramps, porches, and safety improvements, throughout the year. If you're interested, we could use your help to enhance the living conditions of vulnerable low-income residents in our county, not just by improving their housing but also by restoring their hope for a brighter future through simple acts of care and compassion.