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A 107-year-old Stafford County resident will not have to move, thanks to the generosity of strangers Date published: 7/4/2009
BY JIM HALL The Save Larry campaign has raised $55,266 to date, an amount that will let 107-year-old Larry "Curly" Haubner remain in his home at least two more years. "In today's economy, it's amazing to me that people are able to do this and that they're willing," said Carol Ewing, one of the campaign organizers. A flood of donations--$47,000 pledged in a single day--occurred this week after national media outlets such as The Washington Post, CNN, AOL and Yahoo carried stories about the Stafford County resident. A Free Lance-Star story about him appeared last month. Haubner has outlived family, friends and his meager fortune. The prospect of his being forced to move from the assisted-living center where he has lived for five years seems to have touched many. More than 1,500 people from across the country have participated in the online campaign since it started last month. They've offered donations ranging from $2 to $200. Nikki Page of Alameda, Calif., for example, said in an e-mail to The Free Lance-Star this week that she donated to the campaign even though, "I got laid off from my job recently, just had a birthday, too, and was feeling very sorry for myself." Carmen Trammell of Modesto, Calif., said in an e-mail that when she donated earlier this week, the Save Larry.org Web site had recorded $34,540 in donations. "I am proud to be an American," she wrote. This is the second time donations have aided Haubner. In 2007, Ewing and others raised more than $56,000 to supplement his Social Security and retirement incomes and pay his $3,500 monthly bill at Greenfield Senior Living. The alternative was to apply for Medicaid assistance and move him to a nursing home, Ewing said. Greenfield is a private-pay home and does not accept Medicaid. Ewing's company, Bridges Senior Care Solutions, has power of attorney to represent Haubner. Organizers figured that the money raised during the 2007 campaign would allow Haubner to live out his life at Greenfield. But he remains in good health and has outlasted the money. His supporters last month found themselves in the same position as in 2007: Either raise more money or move him. Now, a move seems unlikely, at least for another two years. "It's been amazing," Ewing said. "We're so grateful and so thankful." Jim Hall: 540/374-5433
Larry "Curly" Haubner has lived long enough to enjoy the
final years of his life without fear of where he will live. It's
critical to point out that it was the overwhelming generosity
of people from all over the country that helped him. Where
was the generosity of his current accomodations? I guess
no matter how old you get it's either pay up or get out.
This made my day. I wish him well. Kindness and generosity are still out there!
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