Rising Six group to assist Christmas in April project

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- Rising Six, the junior enlisted organization for Scott AFB, is involved in yet another project for the community. Members and other volunteers will be assisting the Christmas in April project sponsored by Tri-Cities Area, Inc. in Granite City, Ill.

Each year, the Christmas in April organization rehabilitates thousands of homes across the U.S., repairing dilapidated homes of low-income, disabled or elderly neighbors in their community so they may live in warmth, safety and independence. Tri-Cities, one of the many sponsoring organizations throughout the U.S., furnishes all supplies for the repair work, and reviews applications from eligible recipients of the project. They do this by collecting cash donations and building materials.

"This will be the second year Rising Six has been involved with Christmas in April," says Tech. Sgt. Mike Kuchnle, TCJ2, president of Rising Six. "Last year we had nine homes to work on, and 400 volunteers stepped forward to help; 60 just from USTRANSCOM. These are just base workers from all the services that like doing this type of work."

According to Kuchnle, there are military people arriving on Scott AFB that have been involved in Christmas in April projects somewhere else and want to know if there is a project here.

The project this year is on Apr. 28 to repair 22 homes, with the volunteer signup deadline of Mar. 31.

"Whether you have a trade skill or not, or are a Rising Six member or not, your assistance is needed," says Kuchnle. Carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, roofers, laborers, house captains and heating and air-conditioning repair technicians are all needed.

To sign up, call Kuchnle at 229-5108.