LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of people rushed to help an 89-year-old woman on Christmas to prevent rain from gushing inside her North Fort Myers home.
Gloria Bixlar lives in a mobile home by herself at Six Lakes Country Club in North Fort Myers.
On Christmas morning, she woke up to footsteps on her roof, but it wasn’t Santa Claus.
“I was really surprised! I sleep late, and I woke up with these feet going on top of my roof,” Bixlar said.
Her friend David Webster was on top of her roof, installing a tarp to prevent rain from leaking in her home.
Earlier that morning, Webster said he was opening presents with his family by their Christmas tree. When it started raining, he ran to check on Gloria.
“The tarp was completely shredded and gone,” said Webster.
Webster said all the stores were closed due to it being Christmas, so he reached out to the community on Facebook, asking if anyone had an extra tarp.
Dozens of people responded, offering to help.
“Everybody was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Christmas somebody’s got leaks. Let’s help!” Webster said.
Webster said he met Gloria about a year ago when was buying a Grand Piano from her.
“I saw her roof. I said, ‘Do you have anyone doing your roof?’ She said, ‘Nope, nobody!’ I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh’, and hopped up there!” Webster said.
Webster said Bixlar hasn’t been able to repair her roof due to the ongoing permitting process. Hurricane Ian destroyed her roof over a year ago.
“It’s hard if somebody tells you they’re coming out to do your roof, and you get all happy about that, but it never happens. You just give up expecting it,” Bixlar said.
Blixar has gone through 10 tarps while attempting to keep water from entering her home. She has been collecting water that leaks inside using buckets and towels.
“The winds blow the tarps off and pour in on your floors everywhere,” said Blixar.
“I spend most of the time getting help from people. Do you know what towels feel like when they are all wet, they’re heavy,” Bixlar said. “I can’t even move, so that means having to call in somebody with some muscle to do it.”
Blixar is beyond grateful for help from Webster and the community. A roofing company is going to repair her roof by the end of the week if all goes well.
Webster has lost a TV, couch, and furniture due to water leaking in her home. If anyone would like to help her with necessities, they can email at [email protected].