Berrien County Treasurer’s Office
Berrien County Administration Center
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Contact: Bret Witkowski, Treasurer
Phone: 269-983-7111, ext. 8569
Date: March 9, 2020
For Immediate Release
In 2018, the Berrien County Treasurer’s Office, in cooperation with United Way of Southwest Michigan, set up a “Hopeful Home Fund” to help homeowners who are close to losing their homes due to back taxes. During last two years, the kind people of Berrien County have generously donated to it.
This year, among the recipients of the Hopeful Home Fund are Jeremy and Kendra McNees of Benton Harbor. Because of diabetes, Kendra has had both legs amputated, and the couple fell behind on their taxes because of medical bills. With the donations made to the Hopeful Home fund, the McNees family will be out of foreclose status for 2020.
Media are welcome to contact the McNees at 269-247-0716. They are willing to do interviews on their story and situation.
“We want to make sure residents know they can still make tax-
deductible donations to the Hopeful Home Fund in care of the United Way, and we want to thank the United Way for caring for this program at no cost,” said Bret Witkowski, Berrien County Treasurer.
The creation of the Hopeful Home Fund was inspired by Ms. Gray, an 88-year-old who walked 1.2 miles in the City of Niles to sign up for a payment plan. Through the kindness of anonymous donor, her taxes were paid.
Last year, Shannon O’Brien, mother of triplet high school daughters, of Stevensville, received funds from the Hopeful Home Fund to pay her back taxes while Shannon battled breast cancer, which saved her home from foreclosure.
All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Donations should be made to United Way Hopeful Home Fund and sent to United Way of Southwest Michigan, 2015 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085.
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