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Jeannie

500 Year Flood in Cedar Rapids, IA They said we were ok, it would never reach us we were not in the flood plain..

Name:

Jeannie Becker

Location: Hiawatha, Iowa

Country:

United States

My Birthday:

February 25

Occupation:

Managed Care Specialist

Religion:

Christian - other

Zipcode:

52233

My URL:

http://www.microgiving.com/profile/624312/


Impact


Referrals: 0
Donors Supporting Me: 2
Connections: 3
My Network: 80

Biography:

Hi, My name is Jeannie I am 45 years old and lived in Cedar Rapids Iowa with my husband Chris. I grew up in Tunkhannock PA and moved to Iowa in June of 2000. Chris and I have been married since October 2001. Chris had lived in Cedar Rapids his entire life.
We lived on a quiet street in the south west side of the city. When people would ask where do you live we always said the "Becker Block on M. Street". Everyone instantly knew where that was. You see Chris' parents have lived on the bloack for well over 45 years. They owned all but 2 homes on the block and rented them out to family, friends, anyone that needed a home. Dad had a thriving canvas shop. He made boat covers, Canvas awnings, duck blinds, and he even made a full screen room that was added to the side of a school bus that is still used every summer for RAGBRAI, which is a the Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

I had a thriving AVON business in my home. I had just celebrated my 1 year anniversary with AVON. I had stock that if anyone called or stopped by I had it and would not have to order it. People would call and stop by to pick up a gift for someone at a last minute. I always had samples and a very large variety of items. My husband always said that I had as much as the warehouse and maybe more, if the warehouse was out of stock on something they may need to call me because I would just happen to have the items.

We also had a neice and her family that lived at the opposite end of the block,and since we were in the midle and mom and dad were on the other end our home was the place to stop and visit. Our great-neice Kayleigh who is 3, loved to spend time with us and had toys and extra clothing at our house just in case she wanted to stay for a few days.

We enjoyed being close to the family, me especially since my children are all grown up and stilling living in Pennsylvania with their families. Yes we are grandparents to 8!

Now that the flood has taken all of our homes we are no longer in the same city. We are now scattered all over the place. While we are now in Hiawatha, which is a suburb of Cedar Rapids, we do not see the family.

I am now being treated for Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and am not able to work at my job, go down town to the city I love, and I can't even go to our old neighborhood. I start to hyper-ventilate, my heart races like it is coming out of my chest, I can't sleep at night because I have the same reacuring nightmare, I can't get mom and dad and my nephew out of the house and the water is rising so fast that we are drowning.
I wake up screaming and soaked from sweat.

I know I did everything I was supposed to do that fateful day in June. I did get us out finally. we had to be rescued by boat as the water came up 4 feet in just a small amount of time. We are all alive and no one was hurt. But my mind won't except that.

*****UPDATE*****
I am returning to work as of October 15th. I look forward to being able to help provide for our new home. I have also updated my purpose for being here below. Please read it so you can see what has changed in the last 3 months. ********

My Purpose

I am here to begin to rebuild our lives. We have been given the awesome opportunity to purchase our very first home. We are now in the process of doing all the financials. We will need to come up with a down payment that will be approximately $4000.00. Things are going to be even tighter as we save monet for this down payment.

I am returning to work after being off for the last 3 months. So with my income I am hoping things will begin to be a little easier.

The moneys we have recieved from generous donors has been helpful. My Avon business has pretty much stopped as people are know longer able to spend extra money on none essential items while they too are rebuilding their homes and lives.

Now with winter getting closer things for everyone will be tight. We hope people will continue to help us to reach our goal of making our down payment.

Getting To Know Me...

My Family Mother :deceased Father: not involve with Brother(s): David in PA Sister(s): Heidi & Patti in PA Other important people in my life. Name :Amber & Family Relationship: Daughter Name : Gina & Family Relationship: Daughter in law Recent changes in my life : I have 2 new grand children. Georgia May was born on July 8th and Hunter Daniel was born on August 2nd. I wish I was able to go back home to PA to see them and the rest of my family. Unfortuntly $$$$ is not available due to the flood that has destroyed my life. My kids understand for the most part but I know thye feel like I am a stranger to them as I have only been back home twice in 8 years. The last time was 2 1/2 years ago. Favorite board game Monopoly What is most important thing in your life? Family Pick five words that describe yourself : out-going, caring, kind, compassionate, trusting Can you juggle ? No What is your favorite day? Any day that I still wake up breathing. What is your favorite season? Fall What is your favorite meal? meatloaf and mashes potatos and corn casserole. What time do you wake up in the morning? depends if I have slept at all at night. But normally 5:00 AM If you could have one super power, what would it be? To turn back time so I could do thinks differently Comedy or Horror? Comedy If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? HRMMMMMMM Pennsylvania!!!! What is your greatest ambition? To be the best person I can be. Who is the person from you past you wish you could go back and talk to? My mommy :( I miss her. What characteristics do you think you've inherited from your parents? My moms caring and compassion for people What do you never leave home without? Cell phone Who would you most like to meet? The pope If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Buy property large enough to build a home for me and a home for each of my kids so we would be always close by and donate to the ACS and Habitat for Humanity and the S.P.C.A. What is the most embarrassing thing youve ever done? Walked out of a restroom with my skirt stuck in my undies... Hobbies and Talents : I can play any musical instrument. I love all animals and I am not afraid to walk up to them. I love to read, and have been writing a book since I was 12. List achievements and any future educational plans : I am a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America. I spoke before Congress on behalf of the Marfan's Foundation.

My Comments 6 of 6 View all

From: Sherri	Oct 10, 2008 19:05:10
Just wanted to stop in again and say hey! Hope things are getting better, one day at a time.

From: Michelle	Jul 25, 2008 22:59:18
Welcome to MicroGiving! Glad to see you in the community :)

From: Martina	Jul 23, 2008 02:55:49
I also wanted to welcome you here! I'm sure that it is very devastating losing your things to a flood! I hope you receive all the help that you need.

From: Rayhawk	Jul 21, 2008 03:00:26
Welcome to Microgiving! I hope you find the help that you need. If you need a hand finding your way around the site don’t hesitate to ask. When you have a chance, why not come on into the forum? You can find the link on the blue link bar above.

From: Patty	Jul 20, 2008 16:12:31
welcome to mg

From: Jeannie	Jul 20, 2008 15:17:26
I would like to thank everyone who has donated to people using this site. This country is the most giving country in the world!

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