It has been said that life is like a vapor. A vapor doesn’t
seem to last long time at all. It’s there for a moment and then it vanishes
away. For a few families recently relocating from the New
York City area to North Carolinaand as far as Florida,
this became a reality. On April 2, 2008 a First American Van Lines
moving truck (out of Brooklyn, New
York) holding their belonging caught fire in Burlington, North Carolina.
That which they had labored so hard for was gone, in a moment. Some had only
ashes to claim while others waited to see the aftermath. Many, in shock and
dismay look through the ruins for memories and salvageable items. It seemed
like just yesterday that they moved to one state, got established and labored
hard. Now, it was time to relax, retire and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
They made a life for themselves and had tangible memories that would last forever.
But, then in a moment all that they had earned went up in smoke. They had moved
from one state looking forward to a new life. A life with family, friends and
there treasured belonging. But, for these families’ tragedy struck suddenly.
This tragedy caused some to lose almost everything.
One person that really felt the devastation was Mrs.Wilhelmenia
Robinson, a 68 year old retired worker from New York City. I recalled the moment when she
told me that she was so excited about moving back home. She was so excited
about her belonging that the First American Van Lines moving company was
bringing. She had already made plans to share some of her precious belonging
with needy relatives. Why would she do this? This is just the type of person
that she is. She has a giving heart and loves to help others. The fire changed
most of her plans. The fire has changed her life. My friends the story doesn’t
end here.
When she was informed of fire it shook the very foundation
of her being. I saw Mrs. Robinson change before my eyes. I saw a face that once
smile, now display sadness and frustration. I heard her faint cry and tried to
wipe her hidden tears, as she painfully finished taking off some the
salvageable smoke damaged belonging from the First American Van Lines moving
truck. It was as if she was saying good-bye to an old friend who she would
never see again. But, the ultimate tragedy came on that Monday when the First
American Van Lines moving company offered her a little more than $6,700 for her
belonging that were destroyed.
My dear readers and friends the contract with this company
stated that they would pay 60 cent per pound on all of her belongings. A First
American Van Lines representative claimed that Mrs. Robinson had 1,100 pounds
of belongings and this is where they came up with the figure of a little over
$6,700. The First American Van Lines had received $2,100 payment from Mrs.
Robinson in New York City.
That means that actually they were really paying her a little less than $4,600
for all of her belongings. My friends if I had 6 boxes of Blackberry PDAs (12
in each box) that weighed 5 pounds per box. Do you think that they could
justify paying me 60 cent per pound? Most PDAs cost about $200 or more. Could you see them paying me $30 for
all the Blackberry’s that were damaged? That would be an insult and as far as
I’m concerned, disgraceful. The value of one 1 Blackberry far exceed the amount
that which they would have given. Mrs. Robinson had a brand new Kirby vacuum
cleaner worth $2,000 and a $4,000 professional organ on the truck. These two
items alone is worth almost more than what they are willing to pay her. Is this
fair? Is this right? You may wonder why I am I sharing all of this about this
retired elderly woman. Well, I have seen this elderly woman mistreated too often.
I believe that enough is enough. I speak for every elder person in this
country. I saw Mrs. Robinson pay taxes on a house from 1984-2000 and the
renters of the home use a lawyers to get the home from under her. I few years
ago while participating in diabetic research at the Albert Einstein College of
Medicine in the Bronx, in New York
City she fell on the floor while construction was
going on. They said that it was safe for her to walk on the floor. She entered
the facility in no less that 2 minutes she had fallen on the floor. This time
the result was the same; many manipulated her and the system. This included the
ones who were supposed to be helping her. In this case she was offered a little
over $250 for her aching body, broken glasses and bloody face from the fall.
Today her body still aches and her medical bills have not been by the
construction company. I ask again, “why do
you think I’m writing this letter about this retired elderly woman� I’m
writing this because no elderly woman should ever be treated this way or go
through what she has gone through. I’m writing this because Mrs. Robinson is
another human being and a UScitizen. She pays her taxes and makes contribution in her neighborhood and
society. I’m writing this because she is a loving caring mother who raised
three children alone in New York City.
My friends this could be your mother. This woman could be your friend. But, my
friends she is not your mother, she is my mother.
My appeal to each reader is to help me bring a smile to my
mother face again. Do whatever you can to encourage her. Please feel free to
send a card, a letter, an email or whatever moves you heart. So, that hard
working elderly woman will feel that is someone in the world cares. If you can
find her a good lawyer that believes in justice please send her his or her name
at the address below. Please whatever you can do help I would appreciated it.
Thank you so much for listening and your responds.
Willis Robinson aka Will b. free 1
http://www.myspace.com/willbrich1
Copy and past in browser to view:
The Pictures: http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/interstate_12065___article.html/fire_shut.html
The Video:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1155236417/bclid1155306090/bctid1485385884
Wilhelmenia Robinson
4821Whitner Drive
Wilmington,
North Carolina28409
Willbfree1.mom@gmail.com
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LETTER TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!!!!
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