Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I help you?
I can't answer the question of why you should or shouldn't. That is a judgment each person must make in their own hearts and minds. All I can say is that we would be extremely grateful if you did.
2. Why haven't you refinanced?
Our house is $120,000 underwater, so we are ineligible to refinance. I have applied for a modification with both mortgage companies and am awaiting their word on whether or not my mortgages will be modified.
3. Who holds your mortgages?
Our first mortgage is with Homeward Residential. Our second mortgage is with CitiMortgage.
4. How much do you owe?
I owe approximately $300,000 combined, 60K to CitiMortgage and 240K to Homeward Residential. The last assessment on our house indicated it was worth approximately $180,000.
5. Aren't you embarrassed to do this?
Yes. Yes I am. But I would do anything for my daughter.
6. Can't your family help?
For a variety of reasons, no. Both Mike's family and my own have helped as much as they possibly can.
7. Why don't you get a job and quit asking for handouts?
At present, I have an extremely shaken and grieving 3 year old on my hands. At the time of Mike's death, I was working on a master's degree. My plan is to be here for Leah at this time when she really needs me, and go back to work when she starts school in another 18 months or so.
8. I can't afford to give you a dollar. How else can I help?
Please pass our website along to as many of your family, friends, and colleagues as possible. Our best bet is to have the website go viral.
9. Can I give you less than a dollar? Can I give you more than a dollar?
We will gratefully accept any amount, from a penny to the full amount.
10. Let's say you actually manage to raise $300,000. What are you going to do with any money you raise above and beyond that amount?
I will take nominations of other families in need, particularly those in areas that Mike would have been interested in: widows, orphans, the disabled, the unemployed. Otherwise, it will go to charity.
11. How will I know you really gave the money to the banks and not just pocket it?
There is nothing at all I need more than I need to provide the stability of her home to my daughter. However, I will provide a detailed statement from both mortgage companies showing the loans have been paid off if we manage to succeed. If not, any partial monies raised will be applied towards the Citi mortgage in an attempt to pay that one off so that I am left with just one of the mortgages.
12. How can this possibly work?
See the "Do the Math" and "Other Dreamers" tabs.
13. How will you let everyone know you've completed your goal?
I'm working on that. And on a way to express our gratitude.
14. Will you speak to the media?
Yes. Please fill out the contact form below, leaving your contact information. I will call or email you ASAP.
I can't answer the question of why you should or shouldn't. That is a judgment each person must make in their own hearts and minds. All I can say is that we would be extremely grateful if you did.
2. Why haven't you refinanced?
Our house is $120,000 underwater, so we are ineligible to refinance. I have applied for a modification with both mortgage companies and am awaiting their word on whether or not my mortgages will be modified.
3. Who holds your mortgages?
Our first mortgage is with Homeward Residential. Our second mortgage is with CitiMortgage.
4. How much do you owe?
I owe approximately $300,000 combined, 60K to CitiMortgage and 240K to Homeward Residential. The last assessment on our house indicated it was worth approximately $180,000.
5. Aren't you embarrassed to do this?
Yes. Yes I am. But I would do anything for my daughter.
6. Can't your family help?
For a variety of reasons, no. Both Mike's family and my own have helped as much as they possibly can.
7. Why don't you get a job and quit asking for handouts?
At present, I have an extremely shaken and grieving 3 year old on my hands. At the time of Mike's death, I was working on a master's degree. My plan is to be here for Leah at this time when she really needs me, and go back to work when she starts school in another 18 months or so.
8. I can't afford to give you a dollar. How else can I help?
Please pass our website along to as many of your family, friends, and colleagues as possible. Our best bet is to have the website go viral.
9. Can I give you less than a dollar? Can I give you more than a dollar?
We will gratefully accept any amount, from a penny to the full amount.
10. Let's say you actually manage to raise $300,000. What are you going to do with any money you raise above and beyond that amount?
I will take nominations of other families in need, particularly those in areas that Mike would have been interested in: widows, orphans, the disabled, the unemployed. Otherwise, it will go to charity.
11. How will I know you really gave the money to the banks and not just pocket it?
There is nothing at all I need more than I need to provide the stability of her home to my daughter. However, I will provide a detailed statement from both mortgage companies showing the loans have been paid off if we manage to succeed. If not, any partial monies raised will be applied towards the Citi mortgage in an attempt to pay that one off so that I am left with just one of the mortgages.
12. How can this possibly work?
See the "Do the Math" and "Other Dreamers" tabs.
13. How will you let everyone know you've completed your goal?
I'm working on that. And on a way to express our gratitude.
14. Will you speak to the media?
Yes. Please fill out the contact form below, leaving your contact information. I will call or email you ASAP.