Christmas
in April 2007
Presented
by
J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association
with the Prince George's County Bar Association
Once
again Christmas in April
was a resounding success! Members
of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association,
the Prince George’s
County Bar Association, and the
general public came out on Saturday,
April 28, 2007 and worked to
enhance the habitability of the home
of a widowed senior in Prince
George’s County.
The
volunteers pulled together
and were able to clear brush from
her yard, plant azaleas, cover an
opening to the crawl space, paint,
and install fixtures.
I
want to personally thank our President, Abigale Bruce Watson
(and her daughters Amanda and
Ashley) , Erik Nyce, John
Fredrickson, Dennis and Rhonda
Whitley, Shondriette Kelley, William Snoddy, Tim Leahy, Lori Jemison,
Nan Hainsey, the University of
Maryland students and two new
members’ whose names will be a mystery
until next month (when I hopefully
find the sign up list), for all of
their hard work. I also thank the
members of the J. Franklyn Bourne
Bar and the Prince George’s County
Bar for their contribution toward
feeding us and purchasing mulch and
landscape stones.
Rest
assured that next year I will again be looking for you all to participate,
so don’t ignore my calls! I guarantee
that you’ll gain as much from
the experience as the homeowner in
need of your help.
Maurene Epps Webb
Co-Chair Community Service
Christmas in April is a non-denominational volunteer program that repairs
the homes of senior citizens who are either low-income and/or physically
challenged. It is an opportunity for us to give back to the community,
to meet other professionals, and to spend time with family members.
Please save the date.
2006:

JFB again
cosponsored Christmas in April, a non-denominational volunteer program
that repairs the homes of senior citizens who are either low-income
and/or physically challenged. This year’s homeowner was Ms. Wade
of Capitol Heights, MD. Volunteers were asked to arrive between 7:30-8:00
a.m. and to bring any cleaning, yard and painting supplies they could
spare.

Not only
did the Christmas in April program provide an opportunity for us to
give back to the community in collaboration with other professionals
whom we might never have met, but it also was an opportunity for some
to spend time with family members and provided
a valuable experience for our young people. Several attorneys brought
teenage children who used the day to not only participate in a worthwhile
project with their parents, but also to satisfy some of their community
service requirements. First prize for family involvement goes to Past
JFB President Debra M. Davis who brought her husband Chris, two daughters,
a sister and a brother-in-law to help.

JFB members
Colette Gresham, Shondriette Kelley and Dennis Whitley also worked tirelessly
that day.

Mrs. Wade
was very appreciative of our efforts and she told me that seeing all
of us working so hard to help her had inspired her toin turn help others.
A retired federal government worker, Mrs. Wade vowed to use her skills
to give back to the community too. And isn’t that what it’s
all about, giving back to the extent that you can?