Twenty-third Annual Christmas in April Program Keeps Volunteers Busy
The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department is excited to participate in the Christmas in April program. This valuable community program is something that the department has been a part of since its inception in 1989. Our members look forward to helping every year; it’s just one more way that we give back to our community.
On April 29, 2011 members of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department including: new recruits, riding and administrative members participated in the annual Christmas in April project. House Captain John Weaver, past chief officer, who is now a firefighter/EMT, works hard each year to coordinate efforts before volunteers arrive and on the day of the event.
This year’s project house, in Company 37’s first due, was one of the most challenging projects we’ve untaken. Weaver, who has been involved in the program since the start and has been a house captain for many years, notes that preparations, cleaning repairs started in January for this year’s house. While advance work is usually necessary, this house needed a lot of TLC. Capitol Heights VFD members helped John work on tasks around the home in preparation for the big day.
On they day of the event, volunteers were on hand to tackle many tasks around the house including: yard work, clearing of brush, painting, cleaning, masonry work, and finishing a bathroom remodel that was started but never finished. Over 65 volunteers from churches, sororities, fraternities, and the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department worked to make the house a home again. Fire Chief Marc Bashoor came out to lend a hand, helping members clear brush away from the back of the house. Through their efforts, we were able to uncover the air conditioning/heating unit, which is desperate need of repair. The challenge was to “find” the unit so any issues could be addressed.
The amount of work that went into this Christmas in April project was the largest project on record. House captain Weaver was asked to prepare a presentation documenting the project from start to finish. This year’s project was truly a labor of love.
The members of the department are proud to continue our Christmas in April tradition. We look forward to participating in next year’s Christmas in April project house.