"Save Our South Shore Homes" Rallies Against Ashland Foreclosure
By:
Photojournalist:
ASHLAND - They're not the first northern Wisconsin family to struggle through foreclosure, but they are the first to receive help from a newly formed "human rights" group.
The Butterfield family, of Ashland, attended a rally in their honor on Saturday afternoon with help from "Project Save Our South Shore Homes".
That group is a spin-off from the half-year old Twin Ports group that has already protecting about 10 families from sheriff's sales.
All smiles with his daughter, Ed Butterfield says he hides his burden that’s worth about $18,000.
"Right around when I got sick I was pretty much in the hospital, unable to work,” Butterfield said.
"He was diagnosed with shingles really bad and they found a brain aneurism. He was laid off work for 3-4 months because of the shingles,” Stacy Butterfield said.
"There was no communication with the bank on their end. I mean, they pretty much said 'come up with the money or we're selling your house,” Ed Butterfield said.
"Project Save Our South Shore Homes" formed a rally to put pressure on the family’s lenders at JP Morgan Chase - the bank that allegedly let the Butterfield’s loan compound despite early calls for modification.
A supporter of the group, Charli Mills, say the entire process has lost a human touch.
"Number one: it's important because housing is a human right and everyone should have a home to live in. But, number two: the reason it's also important is it can happen to anyone,” Mills said.
“I was diagnosed with MS in 2003 and then I have a daughter who's ten and she was diagnosed with down's syndrome when she was born in 2002,” Stacy said.
"What concerns me is where am I going to put my kids to bed at?" Ed adds.
The sheriff's sale of the Butterfield’s house is set for June 5 at 10 a.m.
The group says the event is one of their last hopes convince JP Morgan Chase that the family is worth any extra work.
"What you really need to hear in your own communities are the stories because there's a human factor,” Mill said.
"Pretty much, I didn't know where else to turn. Everywhere else was difficult,” Ed said.
A representative for JP Morgan Chase could not be reached for comment.
