Friends, community aid 85-year-old woman in keeping her home after she cannot keep working

Sheri Trusty
Updated ·3 min read
When Beverly Schaar, left, lost her job and was about to lose her home, neighbor Charlene Wiechman and the whole community stepped in to help.
When Beverly Schaar, left, lost her job and was about to lose her home, neighbor Charlene Wiechman and the whole community stepped in to help.

PORT CLINTON - Good neighbors can be rare treasures, so Charlene Wiechman wants to make sure she doesn’t lose hers. When Wiechman’s neighbor, 85-year-old Beverly Schaar, could no longer afford her mortgage payments, Wiechman stepped in to help.

Schaar worked in banking in Dover before she retired and moved to Port Clinton 22 years ago. She became a familiar face to many locals during the 11 years she worked at Walmart.

“I did everything there. I did retail and apparel, and I was a cashier,” she said. “People still stop me when I’m shopping in Walmart and ask if I still work there.”

Schaar broke her hip two years ago and returned to work after she healed. But the strain of the injury made it impossible for her to stand for long periods of time, and she had to quit her job. Without the extra income, she could no longer afford to keep her home.

Without a job, Schaar was being forced to sell her home

“I thought I had enough in reserve, but without the extra money, I got to a point where I was going to have to sell my home,” she said.

Schaar began the difficult process of downsizing in preparation of the sale, all the while praying for a miracle. One day several weeks ago, Wiechman stopped by to visit and found Schaar tossing longtime mementos in the trash.

“I watched her go through things and throw her memories away. She told me she never thought she’d have to do that,” Wiechman said.

In just days, people gave $21,000 to Schaar's GoFundMe page

Wiechman partnered with Schaar’s longtime friend, JoEllen Booher, to create a GoFundMe page to raise funds to save Schaar’s house, and the community rallied around her. As of April 6, more than $21,000 of the $50,000 goal had been raised.

“I was blown away. In the first half hour, there was $600,” Booher said. “I’m in awe that so many people are so thoughtful and so caring, even the people who just give $10. It’s just unbelievable.”

Beverly Schaar stands in her home of 22 years that she nearly had to sell when she could no longer afford the mortgage payments. A GoFundMe account has been established to help her.
Beverly Schaar stands in her home of 22 years that she nearly had to sell when she could no longer afford the mortgage payments. A GoFundMe account has been established to help her.

Wiechman believes money was initially donated quickly because Schaar is so well-known.

“I was very surprised, but with her working at Walmart for so long, everyone knows her,” Wiechman said. “I had people donate directly, too. Somebody from Michigan mailed a $500 check, and they don’t know her. It has been amazing.”

Schaar still has a ways to go to save her home, but she is feeling hopeful for the first time in a year. Booher told her this might just be the miracle she was praying for.

“Oh my, this feels like a miracle. I’ve worried for the past year,” Schaar said. “I want to thank everyone. I’m just baffled. I can’t believe it.”

To make a donation to help Schaar save her home, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-elderly-neighbor-save-her-home?member=25758039&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.

Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at  sheritrusty4@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Community aids 85-year-old woman in keeping her home