Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: How can I apply for the Christmas in April program? I am a senior citizen receiving Social Security, working part time and receiving no aid. I live alone in a home I own in Waimanalo, but my roof is leaking, my heater and main bathroom toilet are broken and my sink has been unused for 10 years. My cement floor is cold and the inside and outside of my house need fixing. Christmas in April
helps those in needAnswer: Christmas in April calls on an army of volunteers to help rehabilitate or renovate the homes of low-income and elderly homeowners each April.
It has three basic criteria: applicants have to own the home; the total income of everyone living in the home has to fall within federal low-income guidelines; and they have to provide information on homeowners insurance.
Applicants are not disqualified if they don't have insurance, "but we limit the number of homes we work on each year that do not have insurance for liability purposes," said Carol Lee Owens of Christmas in April.
Then, subjective judgments are made. Officials assess personalities and situations.
"If we find a demanding individual, we may pass, just because we are dealing with volunteers and it has to be a good experience for them, as well," Owens said.
Christmas in April takes on 15-16 homes each April.
They range from "light" work, which is doable by a handyman and doesn't require a licensed plumber, electrician or permit; "medium," which requires a plumber, electrician and/or skilled carpenter; and "heavy," which requires permits and is geared toward construction companies.
A big concern for the elderly is safety and security, Owens noted, so a lot of work involves installing wheelchair ramps and grab bars; making sure railings are stable and doors can be locked; leveling floors; repairing roofs; and redoing bathrooms to accommodate the handicapped.
The make-overs are made possible through corporate sponsors, such as the Sheraton, Aston and Outrigger hotels; Hawaiian Electric Co.; The Gas Co.; Hawaiian Dredging; Fletcher Pacific; and others.
Each corporation is asked to donate $5,000 to the general fund of Christmas in April and also to use their employees as volunteers, Owens said. Many companies see this as a way of building teamwork, with the president working next to a maintenance worker and secretary on a project, she said.
Once a house is chosen by a committee, a house captain is selected and a materials list drawn. Another committee solicits donated materials or money to buy materials from the community.
The application deadline usually is the end of October for the following year.
"By January, everything has to be pretty much set," Owens said. All the work is done in April. If major repairs are required, then preparatory work will be done in advance. But the big workday is set for the last Saturday in April.
"That's when we get 1,200 volunteers at Lagoon Park and we bus them out to all the different locations," Owens said. At the end, they're bused back for food and a program.
For information on applying or volunteering, call 543-0900.
Mahalo
To Miles Okamura, the new operations manager at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, and his staff. The cemetery has dramatically changed for the better. I now have peace of mind knowing that my loved one's resting place is being given the attention it should have had. -- Sandy
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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