To the editor:
The Perham Ladies Group would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Washburn correspondent Christie Cochran and the wonderful staff of The Star-Herald, for their coverage of the Williams family of Perham’s impending foreclosure on January 26, 2010, and the Perham Ladies effort to fund-raise on their behalf.
The paper’s coverage on the plight of the Williams family, a disabled widow and her children, was invaluable in spreading the word throughout Perham and the neighboring communities. It made our job of door-to-door fund-raising a might bit easier as most folks had followed the family’s story from the NMCC step installation, the request for a “Christmas Miracle”, and the article making folks aware that the Perham Ladies would be taking collections on this family’s behalf. Had it not been for the publication of Mrs. Williams’ request for a “miracle” letter in the editorial section of the paper, the Perham Ladies would not have been aware that this family was in such dire straits. We are grateful to your paper for making our group conscious of this need in our own backyard. The response from the “County” community has been heartwarming to say the least.
In approximately two weeks’ time, area people, dug deep and contributed over $2,300 to help save the Williams family home from foreclosure. The amount was enough and then some, to forestall what Mrs. Williams felt was inevitable. It is with great pleasure and full hearts that the Perham Ladies can announce that the tax bill was fully paid on Jan. 25.
The goodness of those caring folks who gave and prayed for this family will not soon be forgotten. Your kindnesses has afforded Mrs. Williams the time she needed to keep her home and begin formulation of a plan for payment with the town. Believe us when we tell you that it was Mrs. Williams’ first good night of sleep in a long while, all because people cared enough to help.
Our small group went door to door and the good folks of this community rallied to do what they could. From small children who wrapped up their change from their piggy banks, a man who gathered up all he had from his nightstand, the people who sent donations by mail with cards and letters including their well wishes, to all the rest who gave what they could, we feel humbled by your generosity.
Most people we spoke with had never met the family we were asking them to help, but that fact did not deter them from reaching out and helping. The reality that this could — under unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances — happen to any one of us was a sentiment echoed by most all. The Perham Ladies are proud of our community and the people in The County, but we are not surprised, not in the least. This rushing to help, when someone is in need, is one of the hallmark’s of our character as a community.
Aroostook County is one of the most beautiful places anywhere, with rivers, fields and vistas that will take one’s breath away, but the truest beauty of all is found in its people.
County people are and always have been our own best insurance policy against whatever life may bring. It feels good to know that even as most struggle with the effects of these unfortunate economic times, they can still find it in their hearts and within their capability to help a neighbor.
Mrs. Williams had surgery on Jan. 29, just days after her family’s home was saved from foreclosure. What an amazing feat by the efforts of people who were once strangers to her. She expressed her gratefulness to everyone, as she was able to have her surgery without the fear of not having a home to return to. We, the Perham Ladies cannot express enough our gratitude to the good people of Aroostook, who truly were able to deliver a real, “Christmas Miracle.”
