WSVN — Libia and Elizabeth were two women who were struggling until they were on Help Me Howard, and so many South Floridians stepped forward it stunned all of us who helped. Here is tonight’s Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.
It would be hard to imagine anything more horrible than what Elizabeth once went through…
Elizabeth Rogers: "He stabbed me with a screwdriver. The spinal cord was so injured that I stopped breathing."
Elizabeth survived but was paralyzed. She’s learned to walk a little, and called Help Me Howard with a mortgage problem. Then her story aired…
Elizabeth Rogers: "When I opened those checks, I was crying because I can’t believe. It, it’s amazing."
Help Me Howard viewers sent Elizabeth money to help her out. David Gray stepped in.
David Gray: "And I’ve seen her on Help Me Howard and she was kicking a bag of 80 pound cement. And I figured I’d call Channel 7News."
After Lowe’s and Home Depot donated the materials, David volunteered to paint Elizabeth’s house for free.
David Gray: "I’ve talked to Harold at D&B Tile one time and showed them the video of Ms. Elizabeth and he was more than happy to donate all the tiles."
David is also installing the tiles D& B Tile donated.
David Gray: "Doing it from the kindness of my heart and that makes for a good Christmas present. So Merry Christmas."
Elizabeth is stunned by the reaction of South Floridians who saw her on Help Me Howard.
Elizabeth Rogers: "I’m tingling all over. I cannot believe that so many want to help me."
And help came pouring in for Cesar’s family as well…
Libia Sabras: "Overwhelmed."
Cesar had sent us this e-mail that read, "I am 13 years old. I am begging you. My mom got a call from our landlord and we might have to move out on the streets."
Libia Sabras: "He says, ‘I e-mailed Help Me Howard. We need help. Don’t be mad.’"
Libia is in a bad spot because she lost her job when Dade Medical College shut down. Plus her ex-husband does not pay the child support he was ordered to pay. Then her story aired.
At W.R. Thomas Middle School, they didn’t know Cesar’s family was about to be evicted, and so the P.T.A. stepped in. They also donated a food basket with a turkey and all the trimmings. Millie Atesiano also saw the Help Me Howard with Libia and her boys.
Millie Atesiano: "I watched it on TV. I have a 13-year-old grandson and I saw him and I started crying."
Millie and her fellow employees collected cash and food for the teenaged Cesar and his brother Jose. Then Libia and the boys got a surprise visitor at their house. Frank and Jennifer Cornelius had been on Help Me Howard after their association vowed to tow Jennifer’s SUV that Frank had wrapped to inspire her after she got breast cancer. Then the Cornelius’ saw Cesar on Help Me Howard.
Frank Cornelius: "Story was incredible and not many people make me cry."
The Cornelius’ wanted to help Libia and the boys.
Then Frank had something for the boys…
So many wonderful South Floridians stepped forward when they saw people who just needed some help.
Libia Sabras: "Overwhelmed, it’s amazing, there is no words to describe it. My boys are calmer, they were really afraid for the first time in my life. And the community stepped up just out of love."
A lot of generous people in South Florida with big hearts. Not much more to say except Merry Christmas everyone. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.
CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
E-mail: helpmeHoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN
On Twitter: @helpmehoward7