Heidi Widmer first knew the woman upstairs in her Culver City apartment building as a noisy neighbor. Then she saw Carole, an 85-year-old woman living with Parkinson's disease and trying to manage on her own.
Widmer learned that the sounds she had found frustrating were often Carole moving around her home. Instead of complaining, Widmer began taking out her neighbor's trash twice a week, cooking a meal once a week and spending time with her.
The two neighbors became friends. When Widmer shared the story online, thousands of people asked how they could help, according to the fundraiser described by MyNewsLA.com.
By September 2, the fundraiser called Help Carole Live With Comfort & Dignity at 85 had collected nearly $75,000. People also offered groceries, meals, cleaning, visits and other support.
