In 1973, a group of volunteers in Midland, Texas decided to devote one day in April to repairing the dilapidated homes of low-income, elderly neighbors in their community.

“Why this is just like Christmas in April,” they were told. This idea spread quickly from city to city and, in time, across the country.

The idea reached Macon in 1992 when a coalition of Macon’s community organizations, civic groups, companies, churches, and concerned individuals came together to form the organization—Christmas in April, Macon.

Our name changed to Rebuilding Together Macon as our mission grew to a year-round service.

We experienced another name change in May of 2008 when our local board voted to become an independent organization. We are no longer affiliated with the national Rebuilding Together organization. As of May 2008, our name changed to Rebuilding Macon, Inc. We have submitted documentation to become a separate entity due to prohibitive affiliate fees, and a shift in the national organization’s mission. The national organization is increasing our affiliate fees from $3,500 to $10,000 per year by 2013. Their message is also shifting to provide national disaster relief and veteran/military rehabitations. While these are very noble focus areas and issues, Macon has much greater needs.

We feel the $10,000 per year should be spent locally, and that our focus should continue to be serving elderly and disabled low-income homeowners in Macon and Bibb County.

Rebuilding Macon, Inc, is currently a year-round, non-profit, 501(C)(3)organization that encompasses several programs to assist the elderly and disabled. The main focus of our program still centers on Macon Rebuilding Day held annually on the last Saturday of April.

Rebuilding Macon in partnership with community volunteers revitalizes neighborhoods, one house at a time, assuring that low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, may continue to live in warmth, safety, and with independence. Rebuilding Macon relies on donations of time, money, services, materials, and volunteers -both skilled and unskilled – to repair these homes.

Rebuilding Macon volunteers repaired the homes of 260 elderly or disabled homeowners last year.