As part of the nationwide, Christmas in April program by which volunteers fix up homes of low-income residents, on Saturday, 55 members of Centreville United Methodist Church rolled up their sleeves and went to work.
Toiling from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., they repaired a home on Burwick Drive in Herndon belonging to a single mother of three. They painted the whole interior and the exterior trim and fixed the front entryway. They also made minor electrical and plumbing repairs, replaced appliances in the kitchen and put new gates on the backyard fence.
Fifteen more volunteers worked on projects at Camp Highroads — the United Methodist camp near Middleburg. This year marked the church's seventh consecutive year participating in Christmas in April, and member Lee Caslavka coordinates and oversees it all.
"Seven years ago, I found my calling to give back for those less fortunate," said Caslavka, of Centreville's Fair Lakes Chase community. "I care about people and enjoy spreading God's love through hard work."
He appreciates the fellowship and friendship among the church members participating and, at the end of Saturday's project, when one of the home's occupants thanked him and said, "God bless you, Mr. Lee," it made it all worthwhile for him. Said Caslavka: "With that, my day was complete."
Michael Fields of Virginia Run painted and helped put in a new floor and was glad to lend a hand. "It was the right thing to do," he said. "This family needed help."
Susan Yochim of South Riding participated in the program for her fifth year. "I love it," she said. "It's an action-packed, one-day mission where you always meet new church members and renew friendships from last year."
Biegie Lee of The Meadows did fence repairs and helped with general cleanup. Lee enjoyed "spending the day with kind, giving people," adding, "I wanted to do God's work and participate in a mission project to help a needy family."
Centreville's Kara Allen worked on the painting crew and was pleased to see "so many people come together." Chad Simonds of Burke also liked "the fellowship, friends and love" that make up the day. He painted the home's interior walls and said he looks forward to Christmas in April each year: "It involves many things I enjoy doing and is a great help to the community, at the same time."
Working wherever needed — even as a carpenter's assistant — was Dave Williams of Fair Oaks Estates. He said he was inspired by Micah 4-6: "Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God."
Centre Ridge resident Andy Svendsen described the event as "fun and rewarding." And Andy Sikora of South Riding, Mark Winans of Balmoral, Bob McLeod of Virginia Run, Beth and Tim Martin of Country Club Manor, Mike Forkin of Sully Station and Gary and Diana Humes of Little Rocky Run were glad to "help our neighbors."
Karen Duncan of Virginia Run did "painting, painting and more painting," but also had a chance to talk with the children who live in the house and "see their excitement as the house was transformed to a brighter environment." She also loved the children's enthusiasm in wanting to help, too, and said, "The tears of gratitude expressed by the owner will warm my heart for many a day."
Geoff Rixon of Chantilly's Saville Chase community praised Caslavka for his "wonderful job running this program." Added teen Katie Trumbull of Sully Station: "We all come here pretty much as a bunch of strangers, but we form great bonds as we help make a family's life better. I've done this three years, and I've left each time feeling better about myself because I know I've helped some people and they're grateful."