Fundraising campaign set up for islanders
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Friends of longtime islanders Rex and Elizabeth Morris, concerned about the couple as they face the loss of their home of more than 30 years and mounting health issues, have set up a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to help.
“They’re such wonderful people. I’ve known them for many, many years,” said islander and friend of the Morrises, Christina Dubois. “They have helped me personally when I was going through a hard time, and they’ve helped many other people. It just seemed like the right thing to do to try to help them now.”
The Morrises are living with health issues that forced them into bankruptcy due to overwhelming medical bills in 2004. At the time, a relative took on the financial responsibility for their property with the promise of a lifetime lease so that they could remain in their home — which they have done, with the help of income from sub-leasing space in the home. But that relative has recently fallen on hard times and is no longer able to honor that commitment. Now the Morrises must either buy out the remaining debt to stay in the home they’ve lived in for 33 years, or move, all while Elizabeth Morris is recovering from surgery she had in August, and facing another one in January.
Islanders might recognize Rex Morris as the knife sharpener at the Vashon Farmers Market, where he spends his Saturdays to try to generate some income for the couple. Now in his 70s, he has health issues that require supplemental oxygen. Elizabeth Morris has lived with the significant health challenges of Type I diabetes since childhood, including dialysis and a kidney transplant.
Rex and Elizabeth Morris do not have the means for moving expenses or paying rent elsewhere, on top of the extreme physical challenges having to leave their home would present.
“They have been active members of this community for more than 40 years, caring for others and sharing what they had,” Dubois said. “Now they need our help as their situation is dire. There is so much love and kindness in this community … we just need to get the word out.”
With the Morris’s permission, Dubois has set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $150,000. As of Tuesday before press time, contributuions totaled $5,450.
In an update on the page, Dubois notes that while Rex and Elizabeth Morris remain distressed about their situation, they are grateful for the support and buoyed by the kindness and generosity of both friends and strangers.
To help Rex and Elizabeth Morris, contributions may be made to an account in their name at the Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union or at gofundme.com/friends-of-rex-and-elizabeth-morris.
