Chicgao Community Comes Together To Help Senior Citizen In need

Two years ago, Hershell Robinson, 83, had to go to the hospital. While he was being treated he missed payments on 2 water bills and the City of Chicago shut off his water.

Recently, ABC News 7 in Chicago ran a story about Mr. Robinson and within hours, received an overflow of calls and emails asking how they could help the gentleman.

The next day, people began bringing Mr. Robinson cases of water, food, toilet paper, a walking cain and money to help him pay down his $1600 water bill. Without running water, he was unable to wash his hands as often, making him even more vulnerable to COVID-19.

After the news organization contacted the Chicago Water Department, Mr. Robinson was qualified for a utility relief program that reduced his bill. The city said as long as he paid his bills on time for a year they would forgive the outstanding debt, but he would have to hire his own licensed plumber to turn the water back on.

5 licensed plumbers showed up to the house and connected the water, installed a new sink and a water filter for Mr. Robinson, free of charge.

The Englewood community ended up raising enough money to pay off his bill.

“It’s really uplifting for me,” said Robinson. “I didn’t know that many people would care about what was happening to me.”

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