Even though he’s just days away from returning to a new job in the private sector, Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski continues to do anything in his power to keep people in their own homes, safe from foreclosure, through whatever means possible. His renowned compassion led in recent years to the creation of the Hopeful Home Fund, established in cooperation with the United Way of Southwest Michigan. He’s hopeful that the people of Michigan’s Great Southwest will help that fund to continue this year for a third year and beyond.
When Witkowski first worked with Anna Murphy and her team at United Way two years ago, the goal was to help homeowners who were on the brink of losing their homes due to delinquent past due taxes. At that time, Shannon O’Brien of Stevensville and her triplet high school daughters received funds from that inaugural Hopeful Home Fund to cover back taxes as she was battling breast cancer. The result kept her from losing her home to foreclosure.
Again last year, the compassionate people of Berrien County generously donated to the fund.
This year, among the recipients of the Hopeful Home Fund are Jeremy and Kendra McNees of Benton Harbor. Because of diabetes, Kendra has had both legs amputated, and the couple fell behind on their taxes due to excessive medical bills, and a very small annual income. Fortunately, with the donations made to the Hopeful Home fund, the McNees family will be out of foreclose status for 2020.
Witkowski, who starts soon with Abonmarche in downtown Benton Harbor, says, “We want to make sure residents know they can still make tax-deductible donations to the Hopeful Home Fund in care of the United Way, and we want to thank the United Way for caring for this program at no cost.”
The creation of the Hopeful Home Fund was inspired by an elderly, 88-year-old woman who walked 1.2 miles in the City of Niles two years ago to sign up for a payment plan. Through the kindness of an anonymous donor, her taxes were paid.
All donations are tax deductible. Donations should be made to United Way Hopeful Home Fund and sent to United Way of Southwest Michigan, 2015 Lakeview Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
