By Fina Baldolato For the Times Herald-Record
Little did this Sullivan County mother of two realize she was about to have a run-in with a four-legged wrecking ball.
Her everyday drive turned into chaos when, seemingly from out of nowhere, a disoriented deer collided with the woman’s car. There was no time to avoid the animal, and the impact caused more than $5,000 worth of damage to her vehicle.
Fortunately, the car’s occupants were not injured, and insurance would cover the damages. But until the $500 insurance deductible was paid, repairs were put on hold. The mom, however, needed a reliable vehicle right away to get to work and provide transportation for her children, ages 9 and 3. She decided that the best option would be to rent a car – regrettably, something not covered by her auto insurance.
Time was of the essence in paying the insurance deductible so the woman would not run up expensive car rental costs. Where could she turn for help?
Meanwhile, in Orange County, an employed husband of a disabled wife found himself in dire financial straits. At his job for 22 years and usually relying on overtime to pay the bills, circumstances suddenly changed. His wife suffered a stroke. Determined to care for his ailing wife, he could no longer work the extra hours.
With some juggling, the man made sure the household’s bills were paid – but his car loan fell behind. He desperately needed his car to get to work, as well as to transport his ill wife. Where could he seek temporary help?
In both cases, the People for People Fund stepped in to provide temporary emergency assistance to local folks, who have normally been self-supporting until an unexpected financial crisis hits.
The Fund – formed in 1985 by the Times Herald-Record and the Junior League of Orange County – has helped qualified residents of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties in New York, and part of Pike County, Pa., get back on a path to stability.
Thanks to the generosity of donors to the People for People Fund – formed in 1985 by the Times Herald-Record and the Junior League of Orange County – these two local people and their families were able to get through a difficult time. One received a grant to pay a car insurance deductible, and the other received a grant to catch up on car payments.
The People for People Fund offers a one-time grant to steadily employed local people who have normally been self-supporting until an unexpected financial emergency arises. To learn more, call 343-1663, or to donate online, visit peopleforpeoplefund.org, and click on Donate, where you’ll be taken to the Fund’s donation page at the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan website.