Neighborly Love

Christmas in April Celebrates 29 Years of People Helping People

Christmas in April volunteer getting the job done. 

Christmas may be eight months away, but for nearly 30 years families in Prince George’s have welcomed Christmas in April.

Founded in 1989 as a partnership between Vincent “Cap” Mona of Mona Electric and the Prince George’s County Government under then County Executive Parris N. Glendening, Christmas in April is the non-denominational volunteer organization that repairs homes of senior citizens who are either low-income and/or physically challenged so they may live in warmth, safety, and independence.  This year, Christmas in April celebrates its 29th year of operations with recipient Mark Ballard.

Ballard is a veteran living in Clinton, MD who in 1989, had a motorcycle accident that left him a paraplegic. Although he was in a wheel chair, he started his own computer business and built a deck and outdoor fish ponds for his home. By 1999, Ballard was totally bedridden. Not someone who allows his disability to stop him, the former military man earned two master’s degrees – one in Theology and another in Pastoral Counseling. These days, Mark needs a lot of home and personal care---and true to their mission, Christmas in April volunteers will be on hand April 29 to help him with everything from home repairs and remodeling to referrals for health and personal care.

Christmas in April’s mission is to restore crumbling neighborhoods and homeowner’s pride and dignity, by having neighbor help neighbor. Volunteers are always in need. For more information on the organization, to volunteer or donate, please visit http://www.christmasinaprilpg.org/