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Hi. My name is Sharon James. But, this fundraiser is neither about me nor for me. I I am asking you to help save my friend Sue’s store for her and the community. (The store has been in the neighborhood since 1942.)
A 30-Year Investment:
After 30 years of operating this community grocery store, Sue is being forced to relinquish her store. Sue and her husband, Chris bought the store around 1985. But, in 1992, Chris became very ill. He and Sue still came to work together every day, but his capacity to work had dwindled considerably. In fact, I found out from her just how much she took care of him between customers when I told her about my previous day and mentioned how I’d taken care of my mom’s feet as one of my tasks. That’s when she said, "I know what you mean. I used to take care of my husband’s feet between customers." Chris passed away in 2008 after his long illness. Since then, she’s tried to make a go of it, but there were factors that worked against her. Prior to Sue’s husband’s death, they did a remodel on their store. That refinance was well over a million dollars—she’s currently $1.5M dollars in debt and she’s paid out over a million dollars to the bank in her attempt to re-pay the loan. Chris passed away after about a year of that refinance and remodel leaving Sue holding the bag. They had both thought they should obtain legal counsel before going into a projected loan, but they were told it wasn’t necessary by the financial institution, according to Sue. Sue now stands in jeopardy of losing everything—*the bank will sell her store, but she won’t collect a penny from the sale. Without some assistance and aid from as many people as possible, Sue faces abject poverty. And her community also faces a great loss. I have witnessed people who come from areas across town just because Sue is there (and that’s not a tale to tug at your heart strings, it’s just hard facts).
Customers Love Sue and Her Store
I’ve known Sue for almost a year now and am amazed at the people with whom she’s developed close ties. The children love her, as do so many of the adults. She’s seen some of her customers go from being babies to parents over the years. She is affectionately referred to as "Mama Sue." But, even with all the traffic, the items her people buy aren’t very costly or much—with the financial burden looming, Sue hasn’t had the money, time, or energy to advertise. Sue told me today that she is basically a stranger to her own house. You see Sue worked all those 17 years at the store for 17 hours a day (pretty much alone over the last 6 years). Can you imagine that? With your contribution, you would not be helping a slacker in the least. You’d instead be helping a woman who has dedicated her life to serving her community and being loved for it. You would be helping her disabled son who lives with her, and you’d be helping a community stay intact.
Please Open Your Hearts and Your Wallets and Give What You Can
So, I’m asking you to contribute whatever you can toward helping Sue. Sue has a lot on her heart and on her plate. What she doesn’t have is insurance, an income, a job, and a sense of where to go until she can find a job once her store is sold. You can help ease Sue’s burden by taking an interest in this hard-working widow’s plight. Many wonder how she has done what she’s done by herself. Sue is sheer grit. That’s all I can say. She’s a marvel. But, even marvels need help now and again. On behalf of Sue and her son, and her community, I sincerely thank you.
With Your Help, We Can Do It!
We are trying to raise $1,505,000 (one million five hundred five thousand dollars) by June 15, 2014. The proceeds will of course go to pay off the loan.
*Sue will work the store until it is sold. That could be next week, next month, next quarter, or next year.
About this Campaign Owner:
Friends: I am posting a part of a private e-mail from a friend to show you my veracity and integrity. My friend has known me for 50 years and when she wrote this e-mail, it was not for public consumption--just two friends corresponding.
Please Note: I have removed both Iris' and my email addresses and have redacted parts of her family members' names. Those are the only alterations to her emai (aside from the emails previous to hers).
("From:
To:
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2013 6:28:42 AM
Subject: Re: Why You
Should View This You-Tube Video
Sharon,
Have a good and godly day!!! God is awesome. I speak of you
often when I talk of friendship and faithfulness to the Lord. You
are an encouragement to single sisters all over the brotherhood
because you have not lost faith in Him who is faithful. You have
embraced your service to Him over family, marriage, work, etc. What
a testimony. I'm so glad we are SISTERS and friends.
Thank you for your continued prayers and concern for all of
us. Oh, J and N are going to a Tentmakers class to learn how to
make tents like Paul. After completing the course/class, they will
be able to use the skill as a means to reach others with the
gospel. They would work as tent makers and then teach the gospel in
the area where they work. I don't know exactly where it will be. P
and his wife K now have two foster children with them permanently.
They are W age 15 and E age 13 - brother and sister. They plan on
adopting them.
Please tell your mom and sisters hi for me when you see and
talk to them again.
Iris")
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