In need of a miracle (11/27/04)

The American Dream has become the American nightmare for me. I’m writing this letter in hopes that Jay County, when asked for help, will once again answer with the force of a hurricane.

I do this out of desperation because I know of nothing else to do.

Throughout my life together with my husband, we have had several ups and downs. He worked at Naas for 25 years and got laid off. We almost lost everything, but somehow managed to keep it.

He had an accident that disabled him and we fought for two years for disability and again almost lost everything, but somehow managed to keep it.

Now our streak of bad luck continues and I don’t see a way out of this one.

I lost my job in September. I was doing public transportation and a person that my dispatcher forgot to put on the schedule needed picked up so I went out to do so. After picking her up, I was backing up and backed into another vehicle, causing a small scratch to the other car and nothing to the vehicle I was driving. Subsequently, I got fired after almost three years of working at this place.

I applied for unemployment and they denied me. I have appealed, but it could take up to six months for that to go through.

I found out my mother has to have her leg amputated because of diabetic neuropathy. Social Security messed up my husband and daughter’s checks and we have no idea when it will be straightened out.

Anyway, here is where I need help.

On Nov. 8, we had a fire in the back of our house. An organization came forward and paid our deductible. Thank God for them.

Then our bathroom floor fell through last week and now our roof leaks, and our insurance is dropping us because of it.

I have until Dec. 18 to get these things fixed. I can’t lose my insurance because I am still paying for my house. And insurance is required.

I wouldn’t go without it by choice anyway.

This is where I ask you, the community, for help. I do this because I don’t want to lose my home. I only have 10 years to pay on it.

We need building supplies, shingles, tar paper, nails, plywood, drywall, a shower, etc. If you have any excess building supplies laying around, please let me know.

I live at 1124 W. Water St. in Portland. Please remember that I only have until Dec. 18.

This is the season for miracles and I have never asked for one like this before.

Happy holidays and God bless.

Sherri Hicks

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