ORLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) — A south suburban teacher got the surprise of a lifetime Wednesday in the form of a check that helped pay her mortgage for a year.
The check was presented to Julie Drew at the Winter Sing Concert at the Arnold W. Kruse Education Center, 7617 Hemlock Dr. in Orlando Park. There was no advance notice and many wondered why CBS News Chicago had come for the event.
“Nobody knows what’s going to happen,” said Gail North, a career building professional at Kruse Education.
As 400 students gathered for winter assembly, Drew sat among the crowd. She also had no idea that the meeting was just for her.
“In my mind I thought, God, that’s going to be a lot of preparation to come together, and that’s going to happen?” said North. “And here we are today, and it’s happening.”
A few months ago, North and other teachers created a GoFundMe for Drew as she battles stage 3 ovarian cancer for the second time. Drew learned about the cancer immediately after purchasing a townhome.
“So it was really terrible timing, but you know, she’s such a strong person — and again, she just wanted to keep working and be here.” said Kim Hartnett, director of the Kruse Education Center.
North said Dowling Legacy and Retirement out of Orland Park reached out and asked the school to nominate Drew for a donation from the company.
The company has partnered with the Gradient Gives Back Foundation, a group that works with financial services professionals to provide struggling families with housing payment assistance.
“I didn’t think it would get as big as it is,” North said.
It was a big donation. Dowling Legacy and Retirement presented a check for $26,400 to pay for Drew’s 12-month mortgage.
“I’m nervous about paying off the mortgage myself, so this is such a great gift that my kids and I can feel safe and comfortable,” said Drew, “and the school has been phenomenal. I feel like every day, they’re doing something new and different for me.”
Drew said this will be a December to remember – and was grateful to the director.
“Having that relationship with her, and having that just caring and nurturing boss during this time, makes a world of difference,” she said.
Drew has two more rounds of treatment and is hopeful that she will be cancer-free.
