Donna Bond Soper is my aunt.  She is a faithful person who lives alone in rural Kentucky, recently widowed and she's had a rough road.  I'm hoping to help her overcome her financial situation.

Her husband, Bob, passed away in June of 2018 after a long battle with cancer.  He was a Vietnam Marine Veteran and was diagnosed in June 2015 with stage 4 prostate cancer.  Just two weeks later, his 40 year old son, Ben, was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer. Both are likely attributed to Bob's exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Ben was living and working with Bob and Donna on the farm when both men became ill, leaving Donna as the sole caregiver and farm laborer.  When Ben passed away 6 months later in January 2016, they were forced to sell their home of 11 years and relocate.

Unfortunately, even though Bob and Donna had no legal obligation for Ben's debts, and even though Bob knew he was also dying of cancer, he insisted on paying Ben's debts.  That money was added to the mortgage when they purchased the property where Donna still lives.

When Bob died in June 2018, his social security stopped.  Donna isn't eligible to collect survivor benefits until she's 60, which is 12 months from now.  His VA compensation benefits were reduced by 2/3 as well.  So she's been trying to survive on about $1300 a month and a $10,000 life insurance policy.  Needless to say, the life insurance has long since run out.  All while being saddled with debt, much of which isn't even hers.

Donna sold whatever she could to reduce the debt.  She has looked for work and applied to many jobs, but at 58 and having been unable to work outside the home/farm for about 8 years, there have been no job offers.

Then in December 2019, COVID struck.  Donna's been one of the unfortunate folks still suffering with "long COVID" symptoms that make working unlikely even if there was a job offer.

On February 4th, her truck was repossessed.  She had a COVID-related forbearance on her mortgage and this was enabling her to get by, but it just ran out.  Soon she will be facing foreclosure as well.

Ultimately, if she can just make it through until January 2022, just 12 more months, she'll be able to collect survivors benefits.  As a single, unemployed widow at now 59 years old and with no children, she falls through the cracks of most COVID assistance.  What little she has received has helped, but it's not nearly enough to make the difference.  These proceeds will be used to pay off debt that is not hers, and will help her keep her home and vehicle while she waits to be eligible for survivor's benefits through Social Security.

Donna is a kind, caring and giving member of her community.  She has a difficult time asking for help, but she has been fortunate to be able to barter for some things and a few friends have lent her money to try to get through.  I'm hoping to raise enough money to help her pay off the debts that Bob took over,  get her truck back and hopefully cover her mortgage through next year.  

She has lived her life in service to others without asking for anything in return.  She has often said she'll die poor, but happy because she did what she could for others.  I am hoping that others who have known people like her would be willing to help.

Please note:  I have approval from Donna to share this information and the account is set up so that the money goes directly to her bank account. Thank you for reading and considering if and how you can help her get through this difficult time safely.