Her name is not important, she was in her 80's and was living only one step up from homeless.The only good thing was that she was recommended as a recipient of help from the "Christmas in April" organization.
If you are not aware, "Christmas in April" is a yearly event taking place on the last saturday in April. It is supported by various companies. I participated with The Dutchess County Board Of Realtors. All supplies are donated. Each house has a captain and a Professional (plumbers, carpenters,etc). The rest of the work is done by volunteers.
I went with the captain several days before the event to see what we up against and to let the home owner what to expect. What a shock!!! There were No functioning toilets. She explained that they had not worked for two years. You might ask what she used for two years?? She told us she was using plastic bags & the local trash company for disposal.
The first thing that was done, was to get a toilet working. Now the rest of the saga: We filled a 10 yard dumpster from only two rooms. Her foom was filthy. I couldn't begin to think about the last time sheets were cleaned or the last time she was bathed. This was an extreme situation. She should not have been living by herself. She was actually living off dry bread stuffing because she had hot water in the kitchen.
My job that day was to keep her occupied and away from the workers. I found out that her niece lived next door. It appeared to be in pristine condition. I asked if we could sit on her porch during the work. We were refused that option. I asked if she knew of the living condition of her aunt's home. She said she wasn't aware, because her aunt would not let her in.
This is just a brief amount of the sad things that happened this day.
I don't know what happened to her. Hopefully, a social worker took charge and removed her.. We think of her often. As we drove by her house last week: A wonderful transformation had happened. A child was playing in the yard on a swing set. A wreath was on the door! It seems that happiness has returned to this house from hell!!!!!
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