KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Nearly a month ago, Kalamazoo's Sally Tuttle received a notice from the city, notifying her that if she didn't fix her garage, roof and paint job that she would be fined. The notice also explained that the Kalamazoo homeowner had 60 days to let the city know how she plans to fix her home.
“It’s sad because she is struggling with finances and how much she loves her grandkids, for them to put that time constraint on her it kind of stinks,” said Sally's niece, Jennifer Overacker.
However, the director of Kalamazoo's community planning and development department told Fox 17 that they're willing to work with residents like Sally.
“We are more than happy to work with property owners to provide reasonable time to correct violations," said the director of Kalamazoo's community planning and development department, Laura Lam.
But it's not just time Sally needs, it's a helping hand. In 2005, she was hit and injured by a gravel truck.
“I got a lot of medal in my right leg all the way down to my ankle, model in my arm. It’s hard to walk and hard to get up on matters,” said Tuttle.
A few months later, she was let go from her job, and then, she lost the love of her life.
Sally then pointed to the garage her deceased partner added on.
It was one of several projects he started before he suddenly died of a heart attack in 2013, and without work, Sally can't afford the supplies to finish what he started.
But Sally's niece, Jennifer Overacker is doing everything in her power to make it happen.
“She’s special, she’s done a lot for other people. She would give you the shirt off her back, she’s been there for everybody, now I want to be there for her," Overacker said.
With the help of her family and maybe someone in the surrounding community, the woman who has always helped others can finally receive some help in return.
“Hopefully we can come together as a family and help her out,” Overacker said.
Sally and her family have already tried to fix the house themselves, but with Sally's injury and her inability to work, the house still needs a lot of fixing until it's compliant with Kalamazoo's housing code, which states that exterior services should be maintained and in good condition.
A GoFund Me account has been set up. If you would like to help Sally with repairs click here
