Paying it forward and need help from our community

Story

Hi everyone, my name is Sandy Meeks.   I'm a real estate broker/agent, and a small business owner in Winston-Salem, NC.  I need your help, to help a lady in our community....someone I know personally.For the past year I have been following an old high school classmate's posts about her life after her husband's unexpected death.    My heart went out to her, but I didn't really reach out, I just said a prayer now and then but was paying attention from the sidelines.. But, over time, every  new post became darker and darker, and quite honestly,  I was becoming seriously concerned that she was considering ending her life to be with her husband.    After my brother's suicide 7 years ago, I just couldn't hope this away.   Absolutely. positively. Not.   I should have reached out sooner, but now I can't shake it!  I have an obligation to try.  We all do.Throughout my life, and most especially over the last few years, God places people on my heart and I just can't get them out of my head.   They are in my thoughts constantly and nothing helps, aside from praying for guidance, reaching out and helping them.    So, I reached out the night before last.   Initially she wasn't receptive to my help.After her husband's passing, she had to move out of their home for financial reasons, and landed in an apartment that most people would be uncomfortable visiting.   Then...her car was stolen.   Then....Because of lack of transportation, she lost her job, and as a result of the job loss, she was evicted from her apartment.She finally responded to one of my messages to see how she was doing."Hey, I'm sorry I haven't written you back.  I'm not doing so good.  Right now I'm living in a tent and my car broke down again yesterday so right now, I'm just breathing.   Please don't say anything.  No one knows my situation but my sister."My radar went up.   God placed her on my heart in a mighty way.She wasn't safe, she was hungry, frightened and seriously depressed."Rough day hun...I just can't get done what needs to be done.  I'm frustrated.  I want to go to work...I want to take a shower and I want to lay down where I'm warm.  Just so frustrated..."Yesterday, I finally convinced her to let me help.   I drove out to her tent in the woods where she has been tormented by wildlife howling at night, and hasn't slept in weeks.    She was in the country with no access to stores, etc. so she had almost no food.   She has lost 40 pounds since her husband passed and is now only 95 pounds, wearing a size 10-12 children's clothing.I reached out to a business associate and talked to him about the situation, and he has offered to match my contribution of $500 to help her with her immediate needs.  Thank the Lord, because with these funds, I have been able to secure her 13 days in a hotel to give her a safe roof over her head, food to eat and some clothes from Goodwill.   But 13 days is finite.  "God loves you __________.   That's why he won't stop letting me think about you.   Sweet dreams.  I'll see you in the morning, okay?""I know he does, I broke down to him today walking in the park."God won't let me rest until this lady is back on her feet.    I spent 6 hours with her yesterday.   We packed up her tent, took her to the laundromat and washed and dried her clothes, we went to Elizabeth's Pizza for lunch and I got her a big fat cheesesteak sub to take home along with her leftovers so we could fatten her up a little.    She has been unable to hold her food down a while now, but I'm so happy she held down all her food yesterday.   She's been such a nervous wreck.But get this,  when we were sitting at lunch I looked at her and said "So, what are you most looking forward to when you get to the hotel?"   Check-in wasn't until 3 so we had some time to just talk..Her head fell and she started sobbing....and sobbing... "To tell you the truth, Sandy....I'm really looking forward to taking a long, hot bath. " The tears got stronger... "And sleeping......in a safe bed."She needed rest, she needed nutrition and she needs her car fixed desperately.I took her some food and coffee Starbucks this morning when I went to check on her.   She was rested, had her laptop out and was searching for jobs near the hotel so she could get started again.    And she was able to put in her application for unemployment now that she has internet access and a place to use her laptop!Man, I was so glad to see that.   She said she felt great after a bath and a good night's rest, and was eating again.  She has hope!   I see it in her eyes.   God is moving.Right now, we need to get that car fixed so she can help herself and I need to find a way to get more days in the hotel until she can find a permanent home.Will you please help me?   I am challenging my business contacts to match the $500 donation my business made so we can lift this lady up and show her the power of God.  To my friends, I personally have seen this situation, and it's real.   Every appointment I had yesterday called to cancel yesterday for one reason or another,  so I was able to really have some time with her to find out what her needs are and where she is emotionally and physically.   She is such a pleasant, humble and thankful person.   No drug use, no alcohol use, just broken into a million pieces right now.   We can help her as a group though.You see, I was broken when my kids were young, and so many people helped me when I was unable to help myself.   Some complete strangers even helped me and I made a promise that when it was my turn to help someone, I would do that.   I'll never forget the guy at the gas station, when I tried to use my debit card for $1.00 to put enough gas in my car to get to work and it declined.    The cashier bought my gas for me.These experience in life are so humbling and life altering.So, here I am, paying it forward."Thank you so much for all you've done for me, Sandy.  I can't thank you enough.""No.   Thank the people who picked me up when I was broken.   I'm just keeping my promise to them.   And I'll need the same promise from you.    One day, you will be in a position to help someone when they are at rock bottom.   When that day comes, it's your turn to help....deal?""Deal."She has an interview tomorrow.   Now...that car...Anything I am able to raise over the $1,000 will go directly to her new permanent housing, utilities set up, etc.Thank you all so much for your consideration.   If you are only able to contribute a few dollars, it goes a long way.Yesterday, with a $75.00 donation, we got her clothes from goodwill, laundry detergent and washed her dirty clothes.Everything helps.  Literally.Thanks and God bless.Sandy MeeksUPDATE from Sandy:  9/11/2020 1:46 PMI spent the morning with her today and took her to the job interview.   The position would be taking inventory and she said the interview went well.  Not much pay, but that's okay.....it's work and with work there's hope.    She's having some emotional struggles right now because she's not used to needing help from others but I've explained that we all need help now and then.   Without struggles there would be no empathy in this world.   As of this moment, we have received over $3,000 in donations towards getting her life back on track, as well as car repair donation and clothing donations.   Her clothes just don't fit her anymore as tiny as she is now, so she needs a little help in that area.   I'm reaching out to Dress for Success to see if they might be able to help too.Her post this morning:To my family and my friends, Thank you. Since [my husband] passed away, I have been so broken, used, set aside and pushed away while trying to give love and help that I realize now, I didn't have to give. I have been surrounded by people but at the same time, I was alone. I faced every morning as I had a purpose and at night I would lay down thinking I was worthless. I have had best friends turn to strangers and strangers turn into best friends. I'm working on myself and embracing the unknown future but I'm doing it with an open heart, open mind and my faith in God. Thank you to those who has stood by me and loved me when I couldn't love myself. Thank you for the encouragement and support. I love you all and so very Blessed and Thankful for each and everyone of you. I cant say Thank you enough..I am adding another 15 days to her hotel once the funds hit the debit card,  and will be making sure she has all of the items she needs during this time.    I'm hoping we will have enough to get her a security deposit and first month's rent in a permanent home once she is able to secure employment.Her car should be fixed around the 18th, and the job search is a daily activity for her right now.    Cross your fingers and say a prayer.....I'm off to sell some houses.Thank you all so so much!SandyUPDATE from Sandy 9/15/2020 1:32 p.m.:VEHICLE:The car is toast.   Its a 1996 Toyota Corolla...update from mutual connection.."Her car is in worse shape than she thought.   The motor is blown, it needs a new axle, new tires and a radiator, it needs spark plugs, plug wires and a rotor. "   This is going to cost more than the car is worth.Status change:   Seeking an affordable car with some miles left in it.   Right now we have $4,200 to help her with, so with that we are going to need enough to pay a security deposit, first month's rent, basic necessities and a decent used car. HOUSING:"I'm so thankful for the hotel, it's usually quiet but there are some bad people staying here, but I just stay away from them."    Do you feel safe?"Yes, honey, I'm fine.  Thank you for everything!"“Dad, I’ve got to find her a place to live soon. The amount of money we’re spending to add 10 days to her hotel stay is $677.89 which is almost enough for a security deposit....and going back to the tent isn’t an option....she told me she left the tent it up just in case she needed it again.”We are hoping to find a small house or single wide trailer on a lot to help her get started.EMPLOYMENT:One of my newfound Facebook friends owns a cleaning business and reached out.    I took her to interview on Sunday, and she started working today.   $10.00/hour T-F, so she is now working!   Thank God!!Her new boss said she is doing a GREAT job!  Customers are thrilled with quality of work.YES!!!!    AWESOME!!!!CLOTHINGHer clothes just hang off of her so she's thrilled everytime she receives something that actually fits.    She is getting inquiries for job interviews so she needs something that looks nice to wear.   Right now she's cleaning part time, so blue jeans, tshirts and socks/tennis shoes are fine.   She is wearing the stuff I bought her over and over, so she still needs some of this type of clothing.   Kids size 10-12, Kids small t-shirts, or adult XS.     She can also wear adults size XS or 0.Needs something that would look nice enough for church or to interview at temporary agency for office job.I've had several people reach out to donate, so hopefully we'll have some clothes coming in soon.YARD SALE FUNDRAISERSo, my neighborhood had our annual neighborhood yard sale this past weekend.    People donated their leftover yard sale items so I could sell them on OfferUp to help with the fundraising effort.   You should see a link sometime this week.Thanks you guys!Sandy