Looking for assistance for a widow to get a stairlift and accessible bathroom.

Bathroom Re-model is nearly complete final cost $20,500.00. I was able to save nearly $14,000.00 from the initial estimate.

Requesting donations of about $5 for individuals or $100 for organizations. Stairlift is $35,000.00 but maybe cut down to $22,000.00 with discounts or grants. The bathroom remodel is $34,000.00.

My grandfather, my father, one of my brothers, and I are/were freemasons. My grandfather, father and I are/were members of Scottish Rite as well as Shrine. My grandfather was in the shrine band, my father was on the shrine patrol, and I was a shrine clown. My father was also an active member of York Rite. Along with my grandmother, mother, sisters, and my wife we are/were all active in Eastern Star. My grandparents were members of Amaranth as well. My brothers, sisters and I, as well as my nieces and nephew were in either DeMolay or Rainbow. I come from a 4-generation masonic family, when my niece joined Eastern Star.

My father was a Chicago Police Officer for 35 years. He served in the Army, retiring from the Army reserve. In addition to his police work, he often worked security jobs especially in the months of November and December. He raised 6 children, and the funds he made from his additional jobs, especially those in November and December, were used to make Christmas and exceptional holiday each year. Our family would have been considered poor, but not in poverty. My father did an excellent job providing adequate housing, food and clothing for his family. All while providing charity to others. In the mid 70’s my mother eventually had to return to work to help with finances. Eventually the Chicago Police officers were able to secure a contract with the city, which allowed them to make a better living and provide for retirement through payroll contributions. Unfortunately, my father only had about 10 years to contribute to a deferred compensation plan and due to his age decided to go very conservative with the investments, therefore leaving him with very little in additional retirement monies.

My father was prudent man, he saved money, but he was also a very generous man. When my grandfather decided to move the family from Milwaukee to Chicago, my father accompanied him, starting his senior year of high school in a new school and city. He assisted my grandfather in purchasing a building and paid a portion of the mortgage until he was married, then lived in an upstairs apartment paying rent to his father until he purchased the house next door. When my grandfather passed away my father paid for the funeral costs that exceeded the life insurance payment and paid to transport my grandfather’s body to Minnesota for internment. He also paid for transportation for his mother and siblings to Minnesota to attend the internment. When my paternal grandmother was laid off 6 months before she earned her pension, that was legal then however morally wrong it may be, he took the money he had saved to purchase a new home to pay a portion his mom’s mortgage, then moved his family (6 children) to a 2 bedroom apartment in my grandmothers building where he paid rent to help her make the monthly mortgage payment and provide for her living expenses. He sold the house he owned next door for less than he paid for it only 10 years earlier. When my paternal grandmother passed away, one of my father’s sisters didn’t pay the portion she had pledged to pay, my dad paid her portion as well as his. My grandmother’s body had to be transported to Minnesota for burial from Chicago as well. My father used his savings on several occasions to provide for his mother and sisters, never asking for or expecting payment.

My father passed away in 2012. Since that time my mother, who has always been very secretive about her finances, lost her home through foreclosure in April of 2024. After 5 months of practically being homeless and bouncing around places, she finally agreed to move to Texas and live with my wife and me. My siblings and I were unaware of her problems because she refused to talk about them, we only found out when my niece (who recently passed the bar) was searching in legal databases, ran across my mom’s foreclosure. We tried all we could to stop the foreclosure, but by the time we found out it was too late, and none of us had the funds to pay off the reverse mortgage.

My wife and I have been asking my mother to move in with us in Texas since my father passed in 2012. In 2021 my wife and I sold our single-story house and moved into a 2-story home. (we did not think my mother would ever move in with us) The house has 2 master suites on the first floor, with additional bedrooms and the living room upstairs. My disabled sister-in-law has lived with my wife and me, since her daughter, who was her primary care giver, was murdered in September 2020. Since we do not have room on the first floor, we need to make accessibility modifications to the home so my mother can get up and down the stairs without assistance. Also, to allow her to take a shower without assistance as well.

First, we need a stair lift. The quotes place the cost between $22,000.00 and $35,000.00. Second, we need to make the shower accessible by removing the tub and having a roll in shower. The quote for this repair is $35,000 to $55,000.00.

All throughout his life my father lived the tenants of freemasonry. His charity and prudence provided for family and friends. In the end, because of paying for his parents’ funerals and transport and due to his illness, much of the savings he had amassed for retirement had been used to get the house ready for him to live at home after surgery and/or to pay medical bills and transportation between southern Illinois and Chicago. (where he also received treatment) After my father passed, my mom was set, but 3 years later my sister moved in, and money troubles began, culminating in the foreclosure and loss of home.

I am asking my Masonic brothers and Eastern Star sisters to please assist us by donating whatever you are able.

Any funds more than the cost will be donated to the following charities in this order, but as equally split as possible.

1. American Cancer society (my father and grandfather both died of cancer)

2. Shriners hospitals for children

3. The Knights Templar Eye Foundation

4. Texas Scottish Rite hospital