IDA FLOOD RELIEF. Kazmier Family in Manville

I'm gina & I am fundraising for my Mother in law Shirley, and for her disabled daughter Lisa, who have been financially ruined by Ida's flooding.

My Mother In Law Shirley was not only a mother, wife, housewife and caregiver, she spent many years working in NY during a time when few women  were in the workforce.  At age 83 she is caring for her daughter Lisa, who earned her doctorate degree in History and taught many years at the University level but who has Post Lyme Syndrome and is permanently disabled. Shirley's income was reduced by 50% last year when her husband, Gene senior passed away from melanoma and his pension benefits ceased. He was a good man who served in the Navy and the National Guard, and up until recently was regularly helping all of his neighbors by mowing their lawns.

Because both Shirley and Lisa are on a fixed income, me and Shirley's son Gene Jr. endeavored to help Shirley and Lisa sell their colonial and downsize them to a small rancher in an over 55 community near us, where we could help with their day to day needs should they arise; they would be able to enjoy first floor living, and could use extra money from the proceeds of the house sale, long term, to supplement Lisa's small income from permanent disability. For about one year, we planned, used vacation time to declutter and stage the home, touched up and did minor repair work, got realtors, ordered a pod, travelled back and forth to help, toured homes, etc. etc. 

The Colonial in Manville sold in June, after four days on the market. It was scheduled to close Sept 30, 2021. We put in a bid for a very nice small rancher in Toms River Holiday City for 285,00K, with hopefully 100k for Lisas long term health and ancillary needs. When we found out that the crawl space, garage, and first floor were flooded, my husband Gene could NOT believe it, because we were ON OUR WAY to giving my mother in law a TRUE RETIREMENT: the peace of mind that she and her daughter were safe, near us where we could help out, with a little nest egg for her disabled daughter. In three weeks, it was happening. The day of the flood, Shirley calls to tell us that she is upstairs with Lisa and that the first floor "has water" and that all three cars are flooded
Gene is on the phone, and is completely incredulous, saying "but I don't understand, we were out! We were Leaving! We were done!" All that work to move, be safe, to secure a little safety net for Lisa, gone. 


WE Understand there will be insurance....
We ARE Most Humbly RAISING MONEY:

For the fulfillment of our original modest Goal which we had begun to implement on our own over one year ago, which would have happened in three weeks had this terrible storm not occurred
to raise enough money so that Shirley and Lisa can STILL purchase a modest ranch home in an over 55 community near us with long term supplement care for Lisa, and now, enough money if necessary to ensure there is a working vehicle. 

WE Certainly do not know all the details yet, and will keep you posted, but hope and pray for caring, open hearted, and receptive donors and for people who cannot donate but who understand the needs of an elderly and disabled woman and who are willing and able to share this story via text, email, twitter, whatsapp, FB and FB groups. We will Keep You Posted via Update. 

Sincerely and humbly,

Gina Perfetto