A Kewanee woman who has acted as an advocate for Robert Ince has started a GoFundMe to help ensure that he’s not homeless, especially during the upcoming winter months.
Gayle Gerard has been assisting Ince, 64, who is on the verge of losing his current residence. She has made phone calls for him, taken him to the grocery store and purchased him warmer clothing.
Ince is deaf and that has made it more difficult to find an area shelter willing to take him in. He is currently residing at his late sister’s residence but has been told he needs to leave.
Ince told his story to The Kewanee Voice and said that over the last couple months he has grown frustrated and bitter at his inability to find somewhere to go. When his story was posted to The Kewanee Voice’s Facebook page, many residents suggested that Gerard should start a GoFundMe page for him to help raise enough money to get him a small apartment or room.
And that’s what Gerard did.
Gerard said the outpouring of support for Ince since his story became public has been incredible.
“People are kind,” she wrote in a Facebook message to The Kewanee Voice.
At Arby’s, where they recently ate lunch, they were handed free coupons for their next meal because Gerard and Ince had “to wait quite awhile.” But Gerard said the wait wasn’t long at all.
At Downtown Eatery on Tremont, Ince went to eat breakfast with the plan to spend some money that someone had given to him, but when he tried to pay, they told him it was “on the house.”
On Friday, Gerard said she took Ince a huge quilt from her mother’s house and thought Ince was feeling better about his situation. Her niece has offered him a single room apartment in Oneida in one of their buildings. But Gerard said she would like for him to stay in Kewanee where people know him and he has friends. She is still hoping that the Henry County Housing Authority will come through with an apartment.
Gerard is trying to raise $5,000 to help Ince get back on his feet and find him temporary housing until the housing authority can find him a spot with rent payments he can afford. She is hoping that the community will be as generous as the local restaurants and several residents have been.
To donate to Ince to help him get an apartment in Kewanee, click here.
