Getting Water For Miss Doris
A group of community members saw Miss Doris' story in the Los Angeles Times article seen here: http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0524-lopez-doris-20150524-column.html#navtype=outfit
Miss Doris Tillman is a church-going widow that lost her job as a delivery driver last year, lost her husband, and subsequently fell behind on her bills.
As the article details, Miss Doris is a 71-year-old South Los Angeles homeowner that had her water cut-off from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in August 2014.
Given her recent financial set backs, she's become a water conservationist, learning how to do ordinary household chores with a minimal amount of water. Every week she has to carry a heavy load, specifically 50 gallons of bottled of water upstairs so that she can prepare a bath, wash the dishes, and even flush the toilet. She uses only 50 gallons of water a week! (The city average is 50-60 gallons per day!!)
This GoFundMe page aims to accomplish the following things with the fundraiser:
-Purchase any number of gallons of water she may need (A short-term solution)
-Help her pay the balance of her $11,000 DWP Water bill to restore her running water (A long-term solution)
-Any additional funds raised will be used to help with her $7,000 plumbing costs. (A long-term solution)
Please watch the Steve Lopez/LA Times Video and read the article to help one of our very own Angelinos!
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0524-lopez-doris-20150524-column.html#navtype=outfit
I got a prompt from GoFundMe.com to add this information:
"1. How you are related to the parties you're raising funds for?." I am not related to Doris Tillman. I am a community member who is trying to get others to raise the funds she needs. I am in touch with Ms. Tillman via phone and email. She is elated with all the support, and feels really blessed because of all of you amazing donors!
"2. How you intend to get the funds to those in need."
When we raise the goal, I will either have a bank prepare a cashiers check for Ms. Tillman, or if she prefers, I will have the funds directly transferred to her bank account.
Update: June 22nd:
I just got another prompt from GoFundMe on June 22nd because they are blocking me from getting the funds to help Ms. Doris. And without streamlined customer service (all automated emails and delayed email replies), we haven't been able to get the funds withdrawn to help Ms. Doris.
Here is the information GoFundMe is requiring before we can get the funds to Ms. Doris:
"1. Who you are: "
I am Chrysta, a community member who read about Ms. Doris in the LA Times article I've mentioned above and in countless update posts.
2. Where you're from:
I live in Los Angeles, not too far from Ms. Doris.
3. Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for?
I had no relationship with Ms. Doris when this campaign was started, however, I speak with her 1-3 times a week now that this fundraiser has started. I've also been in touch with Steve Lopez via phone. Ms. Doris and I will meet in person on 6/26 IF I can get GoFundMe to get me the funds so that i can have a check cut for Ms. Doris.
4. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)?
Ms. Doris will use the funds to pay the DWP Bill, and hopefully there will be a little left over to cover some of the water damage caused by a leak.
5. How you intend to get the funds to those in need?
If GoFundMe can get their act together and get the funds withdrawn, I have worked it out with Ms. Doris that I will present her with a cashiers check on Thursday 6/26. If GoFundMe can't get the funds before then, it will delay when Ms. Doris can get her money.
(I've initiated the withdrawal 6 times in the last 8 days, but they keep declining it with no reason provided until today, and that declination was based on these 5 questions needing to be answered.)
Sorry for the long-winded details: GoFundMe required them.
xo-Chrysta