Homeowner: Ruth Pinkney

Age: 75

Council District: 9

House location: Upper Marlboro

About the homeowner: Mrs. Pinkney has devoted her life to others without asking for much in return. She raised a son and added her nephews to her family when her sister became ill. She cared for her father, mother, and husband through the illnesses that lead to their deaths. Even today, Mrs. Pinkney takes care of her elderly brother and his wife and makes sure they have medicine, groceries and household supplies. Mrs. Pinkney has a pacemaker and suffers from limited mobility, arthritis and high blood pressure. She has lived in her house since 1972 when it was built.

Her greatest concern: The kitchen needs many repairs. There is no hot water and the cabinets are falling off the walls. Steps on the outside need to be replaced.

What we found: The loose cabinet, broken stove and failing side porch are very unsafe for the homeowner. The drain line for the toilet is half the size it should be and it obstructs the draining of the one toilet in the house. The exterior wood on the house is failing. This house has been adopted by Mona Electric Group.

House Captains: Sandy Smith, Monica Cherone, Stewart Riley

Their Volunteer Experience: Employees of Mona Electric Group, this trio has lots of experience with our program. Each has served as a house captain before and between them they have sixteen years of volunteer experience with Christmas in April.

Their Reaction to the Homeowner: We just met our homeowner and she is wonderful. She is so grateful for our help. Age has not stopped her from taking care of others. She spends her days caring for her sick brother and visiting with her grandchildren.

Plans for this House: Our biggest task is to have the house sided. She also needs doors, appliances, carpet, and light landscaping. Another big project will be installation of new kitchen cabinets or fixing the existing. We would also like to paint most of the house.

Mrs. Pinkney at home.

Scary steps we’ll fix.