A Helping Hand for Julie Gelfand and Steve Piper

It’s never easy to ask for help when you really need it. It’s much easier (and feels pretty good) to extend a hand to a friend in need. That’s why we’re doing the asking for our dear friends Julie Gelfand and Steve Piper and we’ll leave the feeling good part up to you.

Julie and Steve are facing some significant financial struggles and are in danger of losing their home. The home they’ve lived in for 30 years and raised their daughters and the neighborhood that holds many friends. We can’t let that happen.

Being in business for yourself is always a gamble. When your life’s work is in the ARTS, that’s even truer. There’s no such thing as steady income. Julie and Steve are artists in the truest sense and Rochester is lucky to have them. Not only are they great people, but their stunning photography and Steve’s unique musical talent enrich our community. Despite efforts to woo back former customers or attract new ones, much of their photography work dried up during COVID and has not returned. Commercial customers altered policies and budgets post-COVID, resulting in less need for photo services. Steve and Julie were forced to use a home equity line of credit and credit cards to cover monthly expenses. In addition, there were medical and dental bills not covered by insurance. Their small Social Security payments and occasional music gigs have not been enough to keep up with the expenses. $40,000 would clear their debt and get them back on an even keel. And they could stay in the home they love.

We all know how generous Steve and Julie have always been in sharing their gifts. We’re confident “a little help from their friends” will get them through this rough patch. Please consider a generous donation in any amount. Every bit helps.

Also, they want to work! If you have a photography need or know someone who does, please check out www.gelfandpiperphotography.com. They’ve been the official Dady Brothers photographers (as well as Dady wedding and family photographers) forever and their work is amazing! Check out the website and spread the word.

THANKS EVERYBODY!

John and Carol Dady

Here's a beautiful song, "This House", that Steve wrote some years back about the home they love.