Christmas in April helps bring sunshine for rainy days to LV woman

Longtime Las Vegas resident Adeline Borchardt was pleased to see Monday's cloudy skies and weather reports now that she has a new roof over her head.

The Las Vegas City Council on Monday honored the organization Christmas in April for its work coordinating local roofers to come to the rescue of the 76-year-old Borchardt.

Every time it rained, the woman had found herself bailing buckets of water from her floors.

A new roof was installed on her home Jan. 2.

For 35 years, Borchardt has been rescuing stray animals -- including chickens, peacocks and ponies -- and offering them food and care. What started as one or two animals left on her doorstep has led to more than 50 animals living at her home

"I have always loved animals and always wanted to have them around," she said. "I love them. They keep me alive."

In December, she realized the monthly cost of $150 to $200 for her animals wasn't going to leave her any extra money to fix her leaky, rotting roof.

After a call from Councilman Larry Brown, Christmas in April came through with a donation worth $7,000.

For five years Christmas in April has helped fix more than 50 Las Vegas homes. In keeping with that tradition, Carl Ranger of B&H Roofing volunteered about 20 workers to make repairs on Borchardt's roof. All of the necessary materials were donated by Dean Roofing.

"With today's 70 percent chance of rain, I guarantee she's out there saying, 'Bring it on, bring it on,' " Brown said Monday.

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