Main fundraiser photo

Help Sharon Keep Her Family Home

Donation protected
Hello! Welcome to my fundraiser to save my family home.

This campaign was originally listed on YouCaring. Since YouCaring became part of GoFundMe, I moved the fundraiser here.

For those of you who started following me on YouCaring, thank you for your continued support. You all raised over $4,000 toward paying off the house. <3 I have left $100,000 as the amount to be raised because the payoff is more than $100,000.

In appreciation for their donations, I've listed the contributors from YouCaring after My Story and in my first update. <3

My Story:

This house, the only home I’ve ever known, contains my blood, sweat, and tears. I feel an intense heaviness and a tightness in my chest when I consider leaving it behind.

But, twenty years ago, my body betrayed me. Shortly after returning to the U.S. from three years of volunteer service work overseas, I was diagnosed with SLE lupus. Before that, I tried to make the right decisions in pursuing my goal of becoming a university professor in English studies: I went to college, I got a master's degree, I made professional contacts, I had excellent written references, I had the proper work experience that included my service as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer. I had checked all the boxes.

But, twenty years ago, my body betrayed me. Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the body's organs as if they are an infection. It makes you feel like you have the flu 24/7. My doctors informed me that if I didn't slow down and live a very simple life on disability, I'd end up in the hospital or the morgue. Running out of options, I moved back into the house my parents brought me to after I was born.  

At the time, Mom’s retirement was barely enough to pay the bills, so she took out an FHA-backed reverse mortgage to supplement her income and make her retirement less stressful. Then, three years ago, Mom had two strokes. We’re both disabled now, but I take care of the laundry, grocery shopping, bill payment, and other chores.  

Twenty years ago, my body betrayed me. Three years ago, Mom had two strokes. If the reverse mortgage isn't paid back soon, I will lose my home, the only home I've known since I was born.   The interest accrues each month so my goal becomes more difficult to reach month.

I've been a good, productive citizen when my health allowed it, sharing my talents in the U.S. and abroad in order to teach and help others. My family taught me the value of independence and responsibility, and the importance of giving back when you can. Asking for this assistance is difficult, but this is my home. Please help me save it.  

6/25/2018

Here is the latest financial news on the reverse mortgage, followed by an idea:

Interest charge: $431.16
Mortgage Insurance Premium: 61.24
Monthly Service Fee: 25.00
(We have no control over the above fees).

Month end total fees: $517.40
Total Loan Balance: $147,502.84

My idea:
To start paying monthly into the reverse mortgage to, of course, pay down the loan balance.  Do you think we can do it? I have to believe.

If you can, please donate.  Campaigns with several contributors are rewarded with visibility.

If you can't donate, please share. 

Thank you. <3

Below is a list of contributors to my YouCaring campaign. Thank you for getting me ever closer to keeping my home! <3

 Name                               
 
                                       
 Ken Walton                                                      
 Lynn Hebel                         
 Nikki Chapin frizzell                            
 Lee Wilson Jr                                                 
 KimBoo York                      
 Morissa Bogen                  
 Tammy C                               
 Jon Jenkins                       
 Lisa Simone                                     
 Amy Lynn Martin            
 Jennifer Gruneberg      
 Ingrid Johnson                 
 Heejin Weisbrod               
 Barry Kirsch                      
 Ken Walton                       
 Michelle Grissom          
 Bart Gustafson               
 Mriga Williams

Organizer

Sharon Slaughter
Organizer
Merritt Island, FL

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee