Christmas in April of St. Mary’s County continues to help citizens in need, as witnessed Wednesday, Nov. 17. Partnering with volunteers from the local Lowes store, the organization was building a wheelchair ramp for a homeowner in Lexington Estates Mobile Home Park.
Charles Freeman, Sr. a veteran with 12 years of U.S. Army service was in need of a ramp to get in and out of his home on his own and Christmas in April and Lowe’s Heroes volunteer program heeded the call.
Local Lowe’s Human Resource Manager Sarah Tyrseck said, “This year we not only supplied the necessary materials and tools but we also had 13 volunteers from our Lowe’s of St. Mary’s store assisting in one of these projects to build a wheelchair ramp for a US Army Veteran.” Tyrseck explained that while each store’s projects vary, they all have the same goal: “to make our communities better places to live.”
Christmas in April’s Executive Director Mary Ann Chasen said, “[We’re} very proud of our community volunteers,” adding another partnership with SMECO on Nov. 23 will result in another much-needed wheelchair ramp being built for a resident.
Chasen said she and the House Selection Committee continue to visit numerous homeowners who have applied for assistance and are focused on providing safety in the home. She testified to the generous and caring spirit within the community, sharing a story of an elderly couple whose only heat source was a wood-burning stove, for which they had no firewood. Chasen said when she put out the call, the response was tremendous and the couple was given enough wood to keep them safe and warm for the winter.
While the group’s biggest project occur in April, the group is busy year-round helping the County’s residents in need of emergency home repairs and help with projects like Mr. Freeman’s ramp. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, click here or call (301) 863-2905. Find out how you can offer your support for Christmas in April’s projects that touch lives by clicking here.
