Please Help: Family with disabled adult child burned out by Fire. Please K&R

[Hepburn]

I live near where this took place. I have been out all day soliciting businesses in the area for donations and any help they can give. The husband and wife are late 50s - early 60s. He took all his retirement to buy this mobile home, was laid off, and let his homeowners insurance lapse. The adult son who lives with them is receiving SSI due to a congential heart defect. This same defect killed his brother a few years ago.

Here is the flier from the Mobile Home Park where these people live:



These are the pictures which I took yesterday:







So far, local merchants and business have come through for me and my pal who along with me has been helping as much as we can. She and I out of our own pockets paid for two nights of lodging for them and also for a $100.00 gift certicate to a local restaurant ~~ the restaurant added a discount to increase the funds we had. The family has a cat and dog which are now also homeless, and we got supplies and food for the animals as well. PALS from PETCO has been contacted and most likely will help with some supplies.

PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. PLEASE SEND DONATIONS MADE OUT TO THE SAN RAFAEL MOBILE HOME PARK HOA AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FLIER: 1065 Lomita Boulevard, Harbor City, CA 90710. Note that the donation is for the TATE FAMILY.

This is posted with the permission of the DU Admin suject to the following diclaimer:

The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 5/7/09, and the moderators have been notified.

[grantcart]

1. you don't indicate where people should send money to

rec'd

[Hepburn]

2. To the address of the Mobile Home Park...

...I will edit the OP to make that clear. Thank you!

:hi:

[angstlessk]

3. I wish I could help, but would like to point out there is no link to

where someone could contribute. Not everyone lives in San Rafael and can drop off a contribution in the box.

[Hepburn]

4. I did an edit for that...sorry...

...and thank you for helping.

:hug:

[flvegan]

5. See, now HERE is where one of those home "makeover" shows would come in handy.

There's one called "Mobile Home Disaster" that would be brilliant to swoop in here, get a show, get great publicity and do something great for folks in need.

[Hepburn]

7. BINGO!!!

I watch "Clean House" on Style network...I am gonna email them today!

Great suggestion...thank you!

[Hepburn]

6. I cannot tell you how wonderful people have been....

...these people have been so touched by all of the helping hands reaching out to them.

Thank you, DU...:hi:

[nyc 4 Biden]

8. K&R

[frebrd]

9. K&R!

[Terran]

10. Because the adult son is disabled...

he, along with the rest of household, probably qualify for some kind of housing assistance program administered either by the state or a more local entity. Could be Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, or maybe a state-funded program. You might try calling the local Public Housing Authority as a start.

May I ask where the family are living now? If they're sleeping in a car or an emergency shelter, they'd qualify for Shelter Plus Care (assuming their income is at 50% or less of area median income).

[Hepburn]

13. The Red Cross came through ~~ I just found out ~~ with some...

...emergency shelter for them when the motel stay runs out.

I have also been in contact with a Mobile Home dealer ... and we may be able to arrange something for them. In the interim, it looks like an apartment that will give them a place to live until things are straightened out.

People have been so wonderful. From the email I put out on Tuesday, today I got money in the mail.

Blessed be to all the wonderful caring folks who are coming forward.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. K&R for a very worthy cause!

[dgibby]

12. If you haven't done so, please contact the American Red Cross.

They should be able to assist this family.

[Hepburn]

14. They are now involved....

...there Disaster Relief van was at the hotel when I was there earlier today.

They have been wonderful. :hi:

[Richard Steele]

15. K&R

[jillan]

16. I will definitely send a few bucks their way.

[Hepburn]

17. Thank you so very much....

...these are very kind, deserving people who have had some very bad breaks along the way.

Thank you to all who have sent or are sending a donation and thank you to those with suggestions and, last but not least, thank you to those who have K&Rd the thread.

:hug:

[jillan]

36. And I did.

:)

[myrna minx]

18. K&R n.t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. Back to the top of the page!

:kick:

[nyc 4 Biden]

20. Kick for the Tate family!

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. I hope they also get in touch with the local red cross.

They can help with temporary lodging.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. See post #13...

[roody]

23. k

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. Kick!

:kick:

[Hepburn]

25. Thank you to those who have been helping and kicking!

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

[Hepburn]

26. Kick for the Morning Crew...

...:hi:

[Canuckistanian]

27. K&R

[AnotherMother4Peace]

28. K&R

[nyc 4 Biden]

29. Kick for a worthy cause

[Hepburn]

30. I need some ideas and DU is the best place to look.

I have had a pretty good response from local business who are willing to help out with food, posters in their windows, household items, etc.

How about helping me out with the names of some national companies who you think might help with replacing items?

TIA...:hi:

[jillan]

31. I would just call around.

You are such a good person to do this!

[Hepburn]

33. Thank you for the compliment...

...I am one of several people who are helping. I cannot tell you how wonderful people are being. For example, I went to the Ralph's Store the other day to get the manager to send a flier to their corporate office. One of the checkers, while I was there, took $25.00 out of her own pocket and with tears running down her face, she gave it to me. This is the store where the family shopped. The manager asked that I come back tomorrow to see what he could do to help.

A deli owner is putting up a poster in his window. Listen up: Anyone in the Torrance, CA, area: a great Deli ~~ the New York Deli ~~ on Sepulveda close to the corner of Crenshaw. There sandwiches have to be nearly 6" thick with meat! And the Matzo ball soup? To die for!

My best gal pal and I are meeting with the owner of a print shop today to get some posters made to put in the windows of some local business. People are donating left and right ~~ not just money, but services and time to help out.

I have really been touched by what people are doing. :hi:

[Beaverhausen]

34. I agree - Red Cross. This same thing happened to my fiance 9 years ago

the Red Cross set he and his father up with temporary housing, clothes and found him a cheap apartment. I think they even paid a month or two rent for them.

You are an angel to help them out. I will send some money later today.

:hug:

edit- oops - now that I read the whole thread I see the Red Cross helped already.

My fiance always speaks highly of the Red Cross and will never let anyone denegrate them in his presence.

[Beaverhausen]

35. Sears donates to "Extreme Home Makeover" you should try them

They might help out with appliances, furniture, bedding, etc.

[barbtries]

32. the Red Cross

i should have thought of this yesterday when i saw your post. Call the Red Cross, i am almost certain that they will provide them a home and basics like clothing, furniture and bedding.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

37. Kick!

:kick:

[frebrd]

38. Kick!

[Hepburn]

39. Kick....

...:hi: