Article Courtesy of Bay News
9
By Stephanie Clayton
Published February 28, 2018
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POLK COUNTY -- People from across the country are chipping in to help out World
War II veteran Chet Lebrun, who earlier this month was facing eviction from his
Cypress Shores mobile home community.
On Feb. 8 Cypress Shores sent Lebrun a
violation notice, telling him he had to fix his Hurricane
Irma damage as well as power wash his home and get the weeds
out of his flower bed, or he’d face the consequences up to
eviction.
When his caretaker and power of attorney Karen Bingham
expressed her outrage on Facebook on February 15, people
started asking how they could help. His story spread through
social media and media outlets across the region, including
Bay News 9.
His GoFundMe account has since surpassed its goal of
$20,000.
Bingham got choked up, thinking about the outpouring of
support for Lebrun, who she considers a second dad.
“It just restores your hope in humanity, you know," Bingham
said. "He deserves every single bit of help and support and
prayers and love that he’s receiving. I’m just humbled to be
a part of it to help him."
Bingham said two businessmen who wished to remain anonymous
called her Monday, offering to buy Lebrun a $12,000 mobile
home in “The Hamptons," a mobile home community just down
the road in Auburndale. This community has a restaurant,
golf course, and pool onsite.
Bingham was shocked by the kind gesture and she said Lebrun
is still surprised.
“I’d like to meet them and thank them, you know,” Lebrun
said.
“He said to me yesterday, 'I’m just a nobody. I’m just like
everybody else. I can’t believe this. I can’t believe
this,'” Bingham recalled.
Bingham said he won’t have to ever worry again about getting
another violation notice threatening eviction. The donations
will take care of all of his home maintenance costs and
fees, as well as lot rent for at least a year.
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Lucien "Chet" Lebrun in his home at the Cypress
Shores mobile home park. Soon Lebrun will be moving to a new home,
thanks to the help of generous donors who learned he was facing
eviction.
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“As long as he lives now, he’s never
going to have to worry about his finances again, which is beautiful,”
Bingham said.
Some students from Summerlin Academy are
volunteering to help Lebrun pack. The plan is to move him out of his current
home sometime after March 4.
The managing company of Cypress Shores, RHP Properties, issued the following
statement from its president, Joel Brown, in reference to Lebrun's situation and
the possibility of evicting him:
The safety and well being of our residents is our top priority. The resident in
question was not going to be evicted on February 23. We were following the
protocols and procedures set forth in the rental agreement the resident signed
and in accordance with Florida statute. We have been sending notices
respectfully asking that repairs be made to his home and for the resident’s
safety and the safety of others, we also have been in discussions with the
resident and the individual responsible for his care about possibly moving to
another home within the community.
Polk County veteran faces eviction after Hurricane
Irma damage |