Help me help Ann repair her home.

My name is John W Rosa.

Across the street from me is a neighbor who has been a proverbial shut-in, venturing out twice a month for groceries and that is it. No visitors, no socializing with we neighbors.

Back in June, her ceiling collapsed due to long-standing water damage from a failing, flat roof. It has looked like the photo ever since. All the usual assistance programs have been unable to help get the roof repaired. She and her two cats are existing solely in the one bedroom at the other end, with no heat beyond a small space heater. And tonight (12/23/2022) temps will be single digits with 50mph gusts. I sat here all afternoon looking out my window at this view, wondering if in a few weeks, someone will finally check on her to find out she died this night....Christmas Eve eve.

I went over just before dark with another neighbor she has had a few short chats with, hoping she would answer the door for her. She did, and I introduced myself and apologized for intruding but with the weather going where it will tonight, I was concerned if she was prepared enough to deal with it. There was a pause before answering that told me she probably wasn't but wasn't going to ask for any help. She said the heater she has hasn't been doing much so far, and that meant it would do almost nothing tonight. I asked if she could use a better heater and an arctic-rated sleeping bag to make that one room more bearable. I didn't tell her I didn't actually have them already. She looked surprised at the offer and offered a meek "Sure." I said I'd be back in 30 minutes. I headed over to Walmart, and charged an oil-filled radiator electric heater and a Coleman 20-degree sleeping bag, and drove back home. I knocked on her door, and with the wind and cold, rudely inserted myself into the hallway to close the door behind me. None of my neighbors have been in her home before, so me being pushy and her a bit timid, it just sorta happened. I handed her the sleeping bag, saying "I assume you'll know how this works" with a goofy smile, and she smiled back. I began unboxing the heater to attach the roller feet and she commented "These are brand new?" I said yes. She asked if I paid for them, and I said yes-well no. My mother-in-law gave me $100 in my birthday card a month ago, and I figure this is a good use for it. I can't do a lot, I said, but I could do this. I wished her a Merry Christmas and said if she loses power, to not be a hero and come over. She and we can barricade in the center bedroom of my place 'til power comes back (that room has no outside wall- it is surrounded by other rooms, so stays warm the longest). I came back home to find my garbage can was halfway down the block. fetched that, went inside and made some coffee to warm back up.

Oh, and her name is Ann.

I was today years old when I learned that.

It was suggested to me that a GoFundMe might be some help for her... so this is what I've come up with. The goal number is just a number. I've no idea what fixing the roof will cost, nor what other issues the home has that need attention (water damage, heating problems, etc). I figure to just raise whatever I can, and those funds will be turned over to Ann in full.

If you choose to donate any amount, even just $5, fantastic- it is much appreciated.

If you can't donate, you can surely share this plea to perhaps convince others to donate. The more we share it, the better the chance we can do something substantial to help her.

I thank you for your attention and consideration.

John