FERNDALE, Mich. (WXYZ) — After renting for more than 30 years, a 74-year-old Ferndale woman on social security has weeks to find the money to move or enough money to stay.
Neighbors are rallying to help this local senior they call a treasure of the community buy the house she calls home.
Retired educator and lifelong poet, Sparrow Karas walks the community every day passing out photocopies of short poems she writes to uplift those she meets.
The GoFundMe page describes the poet as a staple in the community, invoking thought and kindness everywhere she steps. Just reading the comments on the GoFundMe page the impact she has on those around her, is moving.
More than $16,000 has been raised for her housing fund so far.
“I just was doing my thing and wasn’t aware that it was having the impact until now,” Sparrow said.
Sparrow says she has Asperger's and it took time for her to embrace her own uniqueness, it’s clear that others are now embracing it too.
“And now I can feel people’s love, I didn’t used to be able to feel people’s love,” Sparrow said.
Click here to contribute and to read some of her poetry
Money is tight for many in the midst of this pandemic and the homeowners, her landlords, decided they need to sell the house. They will let her stay as long as they can, but once they sell, it will be out of their hands.
Sparrow’s landlords haven’t raised her rent in decades. It’s a deal she won’t likely be able to find again.
