Help Tammy Save Her Family Home

Hi! Just a quick update. Heartfelt thanks for the prayers and support of my friends and family. With the donations I have received so far, I will be able to complete the electrical work and start replacing flooring within a few weeks! Thank you again!

As it pains me to say this, I am still in need. I'm working in a refinancing option, but there are a few things that must be repaired before approval - namely, a new roof and a few exterior repairs. Without these I, cannot move forward on the insurance OR re-fi, but without the re-fi, I won't be able to save the house.

If you would like to help with these costs, my son and I both thank you. If you care share it, we appreciate that as well. Thank you.

Please help me save my home for my family!

Well, this is one of the more humbling experiences of my life so far, but it is time to put my pride aside for the sake of my family. As a friend once told me, the best way to receive help is to ask for it – so that is what I am doing.

Hi – my name is Tammy, and I am a 65-year-old mom of a 21-year-old son. Yes, having a child at the age of 43 will definitely change your life! But after three miscarriages, and doctors telling me I would probably never bring a child to term, having my son was the biggest blessing I could imagine.

About 20 years ago, after overcoming a serious addition with the grace of God and support of my family, I moved back home to Valdosta with my infant son to help care for my mother after she had taken a fall. For the next 15 years, we raised my son together, and took care of each other through various age-related medical problems for my mom as well as my son’s autism and ADHD diagnoses. As my mom’s health continued to decline over the years, I did whatever necessary to keep her at home with us as long as possible, often missing work and once even declining a better job offer so that I could make sure she went to her numerous doctors’ appointments, surgeries, recoveries and rehabilitations, and treatments. I also kept up her involvement in our community activities, taking her with us to church, and even joining her Sunday School class so that she could continue fellowship with her beloved “Sunday School Ladies.” I worked full-time (still do!) and did a few side hustles here and there to make ends meet.

During that time, I also took in a young man off the streets who had been kicked out by his family at the age of 16. We provided a safe, structured environment for him so he could complete his schooling and graduate high school. That experience was not without its own struggles, but so very worth it to see him grow into a fine young man who now lives and works in Atlanta on his own.

When my mom finally passed away a few years ago, she left the house to me with the hope that it would be passed on to my son, who is newly-engaged to a great girl with a small son. This is the only home my son has ever known, and I really, really want him to have a place to live where he can raise his family as well.

We don’t live above our means. I drive an 11-year-old car; my son’s is 16 years old. We don’t travel or make extravagant purchases, we shop at bargain stores and watch every penny, and have managed to stay afloat throughout this time. But over time, the cost of living has outpaced my earnings, to the point that our family’s home is now in jeopardy. The condition of the house (built in the 1960s) has also deteriorated, and there are many updates that need to be done (roof, HVAC, windows, electrical, to name a few!). I had to cancel my homeowner’s insurance several years ago because I couldn’t afford that added monthly expense, and now I can’t get coverage due to that lapse as well as the terrible weather and property damage in our area. Without that insurance, I can’t renew my loan, so I am faced with either bankruptcy or selling at a loss, which will leave less than enough for another home.

My anxiety is off the charts, and I can hardly sleep due to the worry and fear of losing our only home. I don’t really know what else to do except rely on the kindness and empathy of friends and perhaps strangers, who may have the means and compassion to help my family through this ordeal. I know there are many, many people in need of help right now, and I am just an ordinary person with an extraordinary need, but right now I am just hoping and praying for a miracle.

Thank you to anyone who is reading this, and special thanks to anyone who feels it in their heart to help in any way. I can never repay anyone, but just know what an enormous difference this would make in our lives. I am praying for us all.