Anonymous donor adds $2,000 to rent donation effort
An effort by a Wallaceburg couple to spark the Christmas spirit has grown into a flame thanks to the generosity of a Chatham Voice reader.
Dave and Anita Hyatt’s offer to give $1,000 to a family struggling to pay rent or mortgage payments caught the attention of a Chatham woman after she read the story in the Dec. 14 edition of The Voice.
“I checked my email Thursday morning and there was an email from a woman who said she read the story in The Voice and is adding $2,000 to the money we’re giving,” Dave said. “I never asked anyone to help, but I was hoping that we would spark the spirit of giving.”
Dave said the donor wants to remain anonymous, but shared that she recently moved from the Barrie area to Chatham.
“She told me she’s never seen a community as generous as Chatham-Kent,” he said. “People here just see a need and give to it. She’s so impressed by the community.”
Thanks to the donation, Dave said there will be multiple recipients.
The couple came up with the idea after seeing so many people struggle with the jump in interest rates and inflation.
In the Dec. 14 story, Dave said “We have been blessed that our hard work has put us in a position to help others,” Dave said. “We’ve seen how high rent and mortgage payments are causing a lot of financial pain and we just want to help.”
To be considered for the $1,000 gift, the couple is asking that individuals send an email to dave-hyatt@hotmail.com
The recipient will be notified on Dec. 24 and the funds will be applied directly to rent or mortgage payments in January.
Since making the offer on Dave’s Facebook page, the couple has received several emails.
“We’re asking that people only send an email if they truly need the money,” Dave said.
“Some of the stories people have sent are just heartbreaking,” Anita added.
