Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the article titled “St. Andrew’s Towers Residents Mourn Life Lost From Fire” that I found in your paper February 21 in the Zone 2 edition. This article was written by Nicol Jenkins. The article was very well written and very uplifting for the people of this community. However, there is a dark side to this story that no one is mentioning. Herbert Ashe Jr., dedicated his life to taking care of his father. Now, his dad is gone, and Herbert is basically lost. The night of the fire, he was in the other Tower, and was not able to get to his father. His life as he knew it was gone in a flash. Everything he had was also gone. He had nowhere to go, no money, no clothes, and no father.

The Red Cross did get him to the LaQuinta Inn for a few days. This is where my family has entered the equation; we are parishioners of St. Andrew Catholic Church. My husband and Herbert Sr. & Jr. just happened to be on a retreat together last year, and my husband knew he needed to help. The St. Andrew Men’s Club sprang into action at one of their general meetings and raised money for Herbert Jr. to help pay for his dad’s funeral. At this point the Red Cross said he had to get out of the LaQuinta Inn. They only provide immediate help, not long term. My husband could not let him be put out on the street, so he brought him home until they could find him a place to go. But that is it; there is a very serious problem with low-income housing in Broward County. There is nowhere and no one to help us find a place for Herbert Jr. to live on a permanent basis. Herbert Jr. is basically falling through the cracks, and we are really in need for a place for Herbert Jr. to live. Over this past weekend, we just happened to run into a very understanding landlord who allowed Herbert to move into an effiency with very little money down. He also let Herbert move in with the understanding that the Red Cross was going to give him the security deposit in a few days. My family would like to personally thank Francois Bianco of Hollywood for helping a complete stranger in need. Herbert may now start a new page in his life; it will be big adjustment for him and it will be hard financially. He does live on a fixed income and his monthly rent will use up a large portion.

If there is anyone that wishes to help Herbert out, please contact Michelle Babcock at 754-422-1968.

A very sincere thank you to everyone that helped out Kevin & Michelle Babcock.