Help Barbara Georgescu start her new life

Here is another great local new story in Barbara's own words that tell the story better than I ever could:

https://www.fox47news.com/neighborhoods/jackson-hillsdale/woman-from-east-palestine-ohio-found-sanctuary-in-rives-junction-after-train-derailment

My name is Pam Whitehead and I am asking for help for my big sister, Barbara Whitehead Georgescu. That's her in the photo, on the left side, with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren at Christmas. Barbara has lived in the community of East Palestine, OH, for decades, and built a successful massage practice, as well as providing elder care. Unfortunately, she lived only a few blocks from the recent train derailment. With only a few minutes of notice, she had to leave her home and all of her possessions. She went to stay with a friend in Pennsylvania but couldn't stay there long term. Barbara had a cute 3-bedroom rental home in East Palestine; when she tried to return there was a horrible smell in the air inside and outside the home--in the whole neighborhood. After only a few minutes inside and despite wearing a respirator her eyes started to burn and water and she developed a debilitating headache. At this point, her long-time home in East Palestine does not seem habitable. She is filled with fear about the uncertainty of the situation, she does not believe that it is under control and none of us has any idea what the long-term consequences of this chemical spill may be.

Right now, Barbara is staying with family in Michigan. She is 74 years old and wasn't planning on starting a new life, but she does not feel that she can safely return to East Palestine. She is hopeful that she can start a new life near Rives Junction to be close to her grandchildren.

She receives a little over $1000/month in social security, and all of her income from massage and elder care is gone. It takes years to build a massage practice, so she is hoping to look for work with a chiropractor or doctor, or other employment. She needs to move from East Palestine, find an apartment, buy furniture, bedding and other things she will not be able to bring from her home, and pay her phone bill, insurance, gas, food and all the other day-to-day expenses while she is trying to find a job. $1000/month will not be enough to cover this.

At first, she was hopeful that the owner of the train company that caused this disaster might compensate those who have been displaced, but it seems like it could be many years before that happens. Her renter's insurance won't cover any of this. At 74, her priority is to enjoy the time she has with her family and her grandchildren. And to stay healthy, so she wants to try to start her new life right away. We, her family, are going to help with her expenses as much as we can but we can't cover everything.

I told Barbara I was going to start this fundraising site and she was speechless. She is so grateful to her family and friends for taking care of her now, but she wants to be independent as long as she can. I told her this might be a way to help her make this difficult transition. When I asked her if she wanted to add anything to this story all she said was, "I am so grateful for any help I might receive. And bless those who can help."