Lexington Park Woman’s Life Transformed By Christmas In April Home Repairs

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Just after sunrise on Saturday, May 2, the quiet of a Lexington Park neighborhood gave way to the sound of hammers, saws and steady footsteps as volunteers gathered with a shared mission: to make a difference.

By 7:15 a.m., the work had begun.

For Ms. Kerry McGuiggan, the day marked more than a series of home repairs, it was the realization of a long-awaited hope.

Living with chronic heart conditions that make daily life difficult, McGuiggan had previously applied for assistance through Christmas in April when the nonprofit organization operated only once a year. For years, the need remained and the wait continued.

This weekend, that changed.

Throughout the day, volunteers replaced her roof, built a new deck and installed brand-new kitchen flooring to repair damage caused by a hidden leak stemming from her refrigerator, a problem she said she may have never discovered on her own.

“I wouldn’t have known that that’s what was going on, let alone that they were able to remedy it,” McGuiggan said in an interview with The BayNet. “Even though it was a big fix, they were able to take care of it instead of being like, ‘We don’t know, we can’t do anything about it.’ But they jumped in there and made it work.”

As the work unfolded, what stood out most to McGuiggan wasn’t just the repairs, it was the people behind them.

“I would have to say the team effort,” she said. “Just that everyone knows that they’re here for one sole purpose. And they try to go above and beyond to do everything that they can.”

Volunteers from Mount Zion United Methodist Church, along with materials supplied from Edingers Flooring, worked alongside 84 Lumber, which had volunteers from their Lexington Park and Mechanicsville locations. Roofing shingles were provided by GAF Roofing through Bob Green of Charlotte Hall, ensuring the project had the materials needed to bring it to life, and Bear Construction Deck & Fence took on the deck replacement with materials provided by 84 Lumber.

When asked what stays with her most after builds like this, Team Captain Casey Lemoi reflected on the deeper impact of the work.

“What stays with me the most was seeing how much something that feels routine to most can completely change someone’s day-to-day life,” Lemoi said. “We walk into homes thinking about repairs, materials, and checklists, but for the homeowner it’s peace of mind, safety and dignity in their own home.”

She said the experience is a reminder that the true impact goes far beyond the physical work.

“Watching volunteers, contractors and community members all show up for one person reminds me that the real work isn’t the materials or the labor, it’s giving someone the feeling that they have not been forgotten, that their community is there for them,” she added.

Alongside tools and teamwork, Team Captain Casey Lemoi provided breakfast, and lunch was provided by Mount Zion United Methodist Church, and T-shirts for volunteers were provided by Christmas in April. Creating a space where the community could come together, stay fueled and focused throughout the day was among their biggest priorities.

Speaking about the volunteers, homeowner Kerry McGuiggan highlighted their commitment and responsiveness throughout the day.

“They make sure that they’ve got enough people and supplies, and if they don’t have it, they’re quick to run out and do it,” McGuiggan said. “They try to do everything that they can.”

Watching the collaboration unfold reminded her of something deeply rooted in tradition and community.

“It literally feels like a raising of the barn,” she said. “With families coming together… it’s really interesting to watch everything that happens.”

For McGuiggan, the impact of the day goes far beyond what was repaired.

“It is hard to put into words how much I think about everything that they have done here today,” she said. “There was no means to be able to get it done without this program. It would not have been able to happen.”

As the hours passed and the work continued, emotions grew heavier, in the best way.

“I’m elated, emotional beyond words,” she said. “Just the weight that’s been lifted off of me… to be able to live in my home longer, and it can stay, and just be able to enjoy it.”

Additional touches throughout the home, including improvements led by team captains Casey and Tim, added to the sense that this was more than a repair project, it was a transformation.

“It just blows my mind,” McGuiggan said.

Christmas in April, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping low-income homeowners, elderly residents and individuals with disabilities, continues to provide critical home repairs for those who are unable to complete the work themselves. Through volunteer labor and donated materials, the organization not only restores homes but also helps restore a sense of stability and hope.

By the end of the day, what stood was more than a home with a new roof, deck and flooring.

It was a place made safer. A burden made lighter. And a powerful reminder that when a community comes together, even the most overwhelming challenges can be met and overcome.

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