Heartwarming twist after neighbour's cruel note for elderly couple
A local community has rallied together to help restore a house after the elderly owners received a nasty anonymous letter about the condition of the home.
Jimmy and Marilyn Curcuru have lived in their two story home in Gloucester, in the US state of Massachusetts, for over 50 years and were shocked when they received a letter in the mail demanding they paint the house.
The note simply said: “Paint me. Eyesore. Your neighbours. Perkins Street,” Mr Curcuru told NBC Boston.
“It was frustrating to read it, and it was also hurtful”.
The 71-year-old explained he was well aware the home desperately needed a paint job but after suffering a heart attack and undergoing a quadruple bypass 15 years ago, Mr Curcuru said he’s not as fit as he used to be.
"I used to enjoy working on the house when I could, but now it’s hard for me to do it," he told The Washington Post as the story gained national attention.
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Mr Curcuru also cares for his bedridden wife, 72, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 30 years ago and he explained that, sadly, painting wasn’t high on his list of priorities.
"We know that our house needs painting, they didn't need to point it out to us. If they'd knocked on the door and asked about it, I could have told them why this was happening to our house,” he said.
The couple’s daughter Michelle Curcuru Baran posted the note on Facebook and called the authors “cowards”.
“My family for many years took care and maintained this house as best they could, but due to some circumstances the house repairs have got to be too much for them,” she wrote in the post.
Ms Baran said she was hoping for some understanding when she shared the letter but she has since been completely overwhelmed with the community’s response.
Several people responded asking where they could donate time, materials and funds to help restore the couple’s home.
Gloucester residents went into action and decided to set up a GoFundMe page to help the family restore the home that has been in their family for over 75 years.
“This loving family is well known in Gloucester and most know the hardships they have faced,” the GoFundMe page reads.
Local businesses have pledged to donate materials, time and slashed the cost of restoring the home, the page has since raised more than $40,000 of its $82,620 goal.
Mr Curcuru said they are not angry at the person who wrote the note and are focusing on the kindness of the community.
“We don’t care who wrote it. We want to enjoy the love and support of this great city we live in. I want to thank everyone for everything you have done and are going to do,” Mr Curcuru said.
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