Our History

In the fall of 1991, David Potter was asked to be on the Christmas in April board of Washtenaw County.  In January 1992, he created the Saline-Milan area division of Christmas in April to further the work in the local area.  The primary purpose of Christmas in April was to help organize volunteers, neighbors, churches and service organizations into a group focused on serving the needs of those individuals and families needing help.  By the end of January 1992, a plan was created to begin the first project scheduled for the last Saturday in April.

In 2001, the national headquarters in Midland Texas suggested the name be changed from Christmas in April to Christmas in Action.  Shortly thereafter, the name of our local Saline-Milan organization was changed to Christmas in Action (CIA).

CIA - Saline-Milan has helped more than 45 families over 15 years with everything from minor repairs to major renovations.  Activities such as painting, landscaping, wheel chair ramps, roofing and siding are performed by our local Christmas in Action volunteers.  To the volunteers who have worked so hard providing much needed labor and to the sponsors that have given so generously, we say Thank You.

We were all saddened in August, 2007, when David Potter passed away suddenly.  Thousands knew him as the preeminent servant leader to many organizations in the greater Saline area.   We will miss his gentle nature, loyalty, integrity, and unbounded service.   His leadership of the Christmas in Action organization will be greatly missed.

   David Potter

The above History was written by David’s son Tim Potter.

After David’s passing, the Board of Directors was reorganized and Lester Rowe who served on the board since 2005 was named the new President of CIA. Tim Potter (David’s son) has worked many years as a volunteer for CIA with his dad and others. I knew it was time and I know that David would have liked his son to serve on the Board of Directors. Tim is now the Vice President of CIA. I know David has a big smile on his face now….

Lester Rowe, President
Christmas In Action, Saline-Milan