78-year-old Thelma Taylor is a proud homeowner again. A lot has changed since late April when her old house on Birwood was firebombed. Police believe whoever did it got the wrong house. Taylor and her dog, Mercedes, narrowly escaped and needed a new place to live.
"What was so important to all of us who are helping her, including Thelma, was to pick a neighborhood that was safer and clean and had occupants in every house," said Bonnie Fishman.
She coordinated the effort to purchase a foreclosed home after generous donors contributed $25,000 to a fund setup through the non-profit group Summer in the City. Volunteers from the group will repair and help renovate the house.
Taylor didn't have homeowner's insurance and her future was uncertain, but not anymore.
"I'm happy, happy, happy. I'm ecstatic," she said. "I didn't know that anybody cared that much for me. It's beautiful."
"She keeps saying 'I didn't deserve this' and of course she did. She's the most amazing woman I have ever met," Fishman said.
Taylor has spent her whole life helping others cooking and cleaning for local families, volunteering, feeding the homeless and organizing clothing drives for those in need. This time, people came forward just for her.
Whoever is responsible for the firebombing on Birwood is still out there. The family says no one was ever arrested in the case.
However, out of the ashes came the spirit of giving. The house should be ready for Taylor to move in by mid-July.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Friday, June 14 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-06-14 23:45:59 GMT
Thousands of police and fire retirees could face painful cuts to their pension and healthcare benefits because Detroit does not have the money to live up to its obligations.
Thousands of police and fire retirees could face painful cuts to their pension and healthcare benefits because Detroit does not have the money to live up to its obligations.
Friday, June 14 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-06-14 22:31:19 GMT
Highland Park police shut down an adult bookstore where they say illegal sex was also for sale. Fox 2 talked to a former security guard about the things he witnessed.
Highland Park police shut down an adult bookstore where they say illegal sex was also for sale. Fox 2 talked to a former security guard about the things he witnessed.
Thursday, June 13 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-14 00:19:03 GMT
Vandals target a popular place for children in Detroit. They broke in and damaged a recreation center on the city's east side, and it is bad timing for a local sports league.
Vandals target a popular place for children in Detroit. They broke in and damaged a recreation center on the city's east side, and it is bad timing for a local sports league.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:51:57 GMT
Detroit's police and fire pension board makes a controversial move. The board's former attorney was indicted in a bribery scandal. They have now voted in a new attorney loosely connected to the scandal himself.
Detroit's police and fire pension board makes a controversial move. The board's former attorney was indicted in a bribery scandal involving Kwame Kilpatrick. They have now voted in a new attorney loosely connected to the scandal himself.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Thelma Taylor (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
