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Community Saves 107-year-old Man From Eviction
posted 07/08/09 4:25 pm
ABC 7 News - Community Saves 107-year-old Man From Eviction
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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - A 107-year-old man in Fredericksburg has outlived his family, his friends and his savings, and was about to be evicted from his home, until his neighbors stepped in to help.

At the age of 107, Larry Haubner faced the possibility of homelessness or life in a state-run nursing home, and thanks to a community fundraiser he is staying where he wants to be.

Greenfield Senior Living Center is a clean, cozy place for folks who can use a little help in their golden years, and Haubner likes it.

"I should stay here...I'm a bachelor and I'm not exactly a young guy at 107 years old," Haubner said.

But the cost of living at the center has drained Haubner's savings. Larry's favorite pastime is to sit on the porch and do his exercises, but it was beginning to look like he'd have to abandon his rocker.

But even in a tough economy people were willing to give.

"The outpouring of support has been awesome," said Olga Soehngen, Greenfield Center employee.

One of Haubner's case workers and the son of another resident joined forces and launched a fundraising Web site, and donations poured in from the surrounding community and as far off as Australia.

"A lady called me from Nevada who had just won $10,000 in Las Vegas, and said she didn't really earn it so she was going to send some of it to Larry," Soehngen said.

The generosity is a relief for Haubner and the people who work at Greenfield. "He is a part of our lives, now, as much as we are a part of his. So we would have missed him and we don't want to see him go," said Connie Miller, Director Greenfield Center.

Haubner ran out of money before when he was 105, but an earlier donation drive helped him. This time, fundraisers say they have raised enough money for several years, but aren't ruling out another campaign in the future.

When asked the inevitable question about his secret to such a long, healthy life, Haubner responded a lot of exercise, good nutrition and "don't smoke."

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