MJ Mary and Joseph a person in need

[Noone]

MJ family let me begin with a story.

It was years ago when standing in line to pay my JEA bill and for those that may remember there were all these JEA locations throughout the city. One time while standing in line with dozens of other people to pay my bill there was a lady at the teller location attempting to make a partial payment and for whatever reason wasn't going to be enough to have the electricity shut off. Back in the day there weren't the numbers and take a seat it was stand in line and listen to people's stories when they went up to the counter. As I recall it was quite crowded that day and I recognized someone that was in line who was retired and knew from years of just being an acquaintance was not hurting financially. It is painstaking at times to just witness and not fully appreciate the plight that people can find themselves in and to a certain degree stand by and watch as something unfolds before your very eyes. Everyone that was there was fixated on this woman's dilemma. At some point the person that I knew got out of line and went up to the counter and again as I recall asked what is the amount that she is short and it was something around $20 and he just paid it and it was over. She was grateful and thankful and he got back in line and I know for myself and others to witness a spontaneous act of kindness was uplifting and it still moves me to this day.

So let me share a story that is happening now and the ending has yet to be written. The other day I was at a business and Tammy I don't even know her last name was at the counter and over the years when I'd come in we would talk about the reality shows Survivor or the Amazing Race. Use to watch them regularly but haven't recently. Anyway Tammy and I'm guessing is in her late 50's and there use to be two incomes coming in and I'm not sure just what the local family support is if any. So anyway I'm in the store and it's off peak hours and I'm at the register and I haven't seen her in months and the home that they have I'm guessing is around Arlington or maybe closer to Downtown. So anyway she mentions that they are trying to fight off foreclosure. They need $1600 and they have been notified that they will begin filing foreclosure proceedings in Jan. I'm just standing there listening to this and a light bulb is going off in my head. I so much wanted to help this person but I can't do it alone. I have her number and about this time another customer comes into the store and I leave and now I'm writing this at 3am Sat. Morning 12/13/14. Christmas is 12 days out. I'm reaching out to MJ Motivated Jacksonville!

I've never done this but my thought is that I will find out what bank her mortgage is with and attempt to set up an account so that when the $1600 is reached it is over and the mortgage is current. They are 3 mos. delinquent. I'm just guessing $400 a month mortgage. I'll open the account with a $100.  I would also hope that I can be in contact with a bank representative and keep everyone on the forum updated on a daily basis. What a gift to know in your heart.  That we prevented another foreclosure in Jacksonville right before Christmas.

Any other thoughts, suggestions and ideas are welcomed.

[spuwho]

Just find out the mortgage company and her loan number. Anyone can start paying directly over the phone. No special arrangements needed. You can even use your banks online bill pay.

BTW: If you know of anyone who is behind on their JEA bill, JEA has an arrangement where you can pay someones bill anonymously.  We have used it often to help people especially this time of the year when funds can get tight.

Just need to know the name and the billing address of the meter that you want to pay on. It will show as a "community credit" on the account and if the customer calls in to see who did it, the donor is obscured.

Noone has defintely brought up the spirit of Christmas and charity of Jaxsons everywhere.

Remember to help those in need this holiday season.