I got a message about an elderly woman named Sandy in Benton Harbor, and when I showed up, I honestly couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Her backyard wasn’t just overgrown—it had been completely taken over. But what really hit me was her story. Sandy has a huge heart. She tried to help someone in need by letting one person use her space to clean up and get back on their feet. Unfortunately, that one person turned into 10 to 15 people living on her property, and everything spiraled out of control.

They were running electricity from her home, using heaters and appliances, and leaving behind trash, destruction, and even biohazard waste. It got to the point where they were coming into her house through windows, damaging her property, and continuing to show up even after being removed. This is an elderly woman, living alone, dealing with something no one should ever have to go through.

We stepped in and did everything we could. We cleared out the trash, tore down the structures they were living in, removed hazardous materials, and worked to make her property safe again. But this is bigger than just cleaning up a yard.

Sandy is now behind on bills, struggling with basic expenses, and even renting essential appliances she can’t afford to lose. On top of everything, she’s still dealing with the emotional and physical toll of being taken advantage of and feeling unsafe in her own home.

That’s why we’re starting this GoFundMe. Every dollar will go directly toward helping Sandy get back on her feet—covering overdue bills, securing her home, replacing or paying off essential appliances, and giving her the peace of mind she deserves.

Sandy did nothing wrong. She simply tried to help someone in need, and it cost her everything. If you believe in paying it forward, this is one of those moments where we can truly make a difference. Even a small donation or simply sharing this can go a long way in helping her feel safe and supported again.

**Donations go to the fundraiser. I earn a fee from GoFundMe if you donate through this link, helping me to spread more kindness**