Community Lifts Up Tracy Family Facing Tough Financial Struggles
TRACY (CBS13) — A family struggling to survive, plagued by health problems and about to lose their home.
But this story has a heartwarming ending thanks to a community that came together to help.
The family has to pack up and leave in a matter of days. People have opened their hearts and wallets to help.
"I was just a nervous wreck," said Susan Tanupo.
The wheelchair-bound mother was scrambling to find a new home for her and her special-needs daughter.
Rare cancer and valley fever left her husband bedridden at the hospital.
The family used to own a successful roofing business, but the double-whammy of the recession and health problems left the mother-daughter duo with nowhere to turn.
"I was terrified, I was petrified, I was so desperate. I've never been on the receiving end. We were always in a position to give."
Enter Anne Marie Fuller, also known as Mrs. California.
A stranger until now, Anne Marie learned about the family's hard times through the Boys and Girls Club.
After spreading the word on social media and her column in the local newspaper, Anne Marie and other community members collected cash and necessities for the family.
"It's amazing the amount of people who have come together for one single family."
This woman even brought Susan's daughter a back-to-school wardrobe.
"When everything hits you at once, that's hard for anyone in the best of circumstances to handle, and she was doing this alone," Carrie Burnell said.
Just as Susan thought she'd be out on the streets, a property manager heard about her dilemma and offered her a rental home that fits the family's needs.
"I'm able to smile. I'm able to have hope. It's just one big bundle of love that has been shown to us."
Even though the family has a new home and they're moving this weekend, their car broke down and they're looking for help with that.
