Letters about Willie Branch Letters about Willie Branch (January 30, 2004)

"I wanted to know if there is a fund or anything set up for Willie Branch. I couldn't believe it. I always stood in his line at the Coop. I felt so bad for him and for us. How easy it is to fall in the cracks. You put a face on the homeless issue in Palo Alto. So many of us know him and remember his kindness and his smile. I don't know what else to do but if there is a fund please let me know."
"We too were touched and upset at learning about Willie's plight. We were members... and shopped at the Midtown Coop from the time we moved to Palo Alto in 1952. Reading of this terrible happening to such a beautiful person really put a face for us on the plight of the homeless. Willie represented the best that was in the Co-op idea of humane and caring service for consumers. It was not just checking out as quickly as possible, but chatting & joking & information & always the big welcoming smile! We're delighted that our good Palo Alto neighbors have rallied to support him and we will add our bit to the fund. Thank you so much for doing what a good community newspaper should do."
"I'm SO happy that people in the community want to help Willy and that the Weekly has made it easily possible. My check will be on its way Monday. When I first gave Willy my Coop number, years ago, I used to say, just for fun, "I'm Lovable 25862;" pretty soon Willy got to calling me Lovable. After a while, neither of us could remember my number without the Lovable preface. I would be pushing my shopping cart around the store and suddenly I'd hear, "Hey, Lovable," floating out from the check stand. Willy is a really great guy; all the Coop customers loved him. I'm glad to have a chance to help him out. I hope he'll be able to get back on his feet."
"I just finished reading your article about Willie Branch in the Weekly. By the end I was in tears as were my kids who recognized his picture immediately. We lived on Moreno across from the CO-OP for 4 1/2 years when my girls were little. Willie and the Co-op were such an integral part of our lives. We were often there daily, not only to get groceries but just to "visit" our buddies there. I am thinking that perhaps one purpose of your article is to alert people that knew Willie as to his current circumstance. While I don't have a job or place to stay to offer, if possible I would like to help. At this moment I can't think of exactly how to do that. If you get other responses like mine regarding this article please feel free to pass on my email address. Perhaps together we can find a way to make a difference. Thank you for alerting us to where our "favorite checker" is. We have seen other CO-OP employees at other stores around town and have often wondered where Willie was. Your article was well written and was a sober reminder as to how close to home homelessness can really hit."
"Thank you for putting in the time and effort into writing about Willie. I have time on my hands and wish to get involved in understanding the homeless situation and what can be done to assist these people. I have just started volunteering at the Urban Ministry Center. Providing them with a place to shower and do laundry would enable them to be presentable. I would appreciate some pointers."
"My partner and I were deeply moved by your article. Our really good friend..., was Willie's neighbor for 10 years at the same location and had introduced us to him previously. We saw Willie about two days before your article was published. Even though Willie is going through tough times he still has a big ol' smile to give out for free. We really wanted to do something for him to help him get on his feet. ...I don't know Willie that well, but the times I met with him, he has that way about him that just makes you feel special and at the same time so sad that this could actually happen to someone, any of us, so easily. I'm not really sure how I would go about doing this, can you help me and would you be willing to do a follow-up with this information so that others can help this wonderful man.
"I have a suggestion about a job for Willie.... The job is full-time, light work, no experience necessary, and local. The other thing I have to offer is some furniture and appliances (desk, TV, microwave, stuffed chair). My father passed away recently so I have a lot of stuff I was going to take to Goodwill, but I'd MUCH rather give it to a deserving friend."
"Thanks for thinking of Willie...I always remembered him biking down my street whistling. Bet lots of our readers would want to contribute."
"Last week I read your story about Willie Branch and I would like to know how I can help him. I was a frequent shopper at the Co-op Market. When the market closed, I worried about the employees, who had become like neighbors to me, so I was shocked to see that Willie is out on the streets. My husband and I are contributing to the fund to build the Opportunity Center and we support the Urban Ministry and Hotel de Zink, but if there is any way to help Willie, specifically, please let me know."
"I too am a long time acquaintance of Willie's. I worked for Bank of America for 28 years and he was my customer at the bank as I was his customer at the Co-op. I was so saddened by his article in the Jan. 14th edition of the Weekly. God has been tugging at my heart strings to possibly offer Willie our empty bedroom in our home. Our kids are pretty much gone and only come home occasionally to spend the night. Please give me your thoughts about whether you think Willie would accept such an offer. I am asking this because I was surprised to read that he wouldn't accept help from his kids. Would he accept help from a long time acquaintance? I guess the next question would be how I would go about finding him? Through Urban Ministry? Thank you for your touching article and your help with my concerns. We are all a step away from being homeless."
In a box: Community members may send a check in any amount, payable to "Willie Branch Fund" to the Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, 94301 and the Weekly will work with a group of willing readers and Branch to assist him.
Readers willing to help with the effort beyond donating money should contact Amy Renalds, assistant to the publisher, at 326-8210 or arenalds@paweekly.com and she will create an e-mail list to make communication possible among those interested.

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