12-Year-Old Saves Grandma From Foreclosure

Homeowners across the United States have felt the crunch of the housing market collapse for what feels like decades now.

Homes are being foreclosed at an alarming rate and are projected even higher for 2012. The previous year's foreclosure rate was actually 34% lower than in 2010, with 804,000 homes being repossessed. But 2012 projections are saying that there will be over one million foreclosures, since last year there were 1.89 million homes that were issued notices of foreclosure, but fewer were repossessed due to delayed legal processes.

But when counting up each home foreclosured, be sure to skip over Janice Sparhawk's residence in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

You've probably never heard of Mrs. Sparhawk, but the 72-year-old woman has been a foster parent to more than 100 children. Her home has been one of safety and care for decades, but earlier this year she received her foreclosure notice after falling behind on her bills after she became very ill.

On February 15th her then foreclosed house was to be auctioned off unless she was able to pay the outlandish figure.

But thanks to her 12-year-old grandson, this year Mrs. Sparhawk will be having one of the best Valentine's Days ever, in her own home instead of on the streets.

Noah Lamaide was able to save his grandmother's house from being foreclosed by raising $10,500 in just a single month. How did he do it? With a little help from his friends and strangers. Lamaide asked for donations through the charity website that he had set up two years ago to help those in need after Hurricane Katrina. This modern-day, adolescent, philanthropist posted his request on the website (image below) by simply asking those who could afford to donate to help his grandmother.

After he reached his goal and was able to save his grandmother's house he told a television station that “I never knew that there were so many good people in this world.”

Sparhawk says she will begin to foster children once again now that her home has been saved.

So when this wretched economy has hit your last nerve and the housing market breaks your will, have hope that you will be able to find a way like Janice Sparhawk. And if worst comes to worst, call up Noah Lamaide and see what this young UNICEF can do to help...