Peter's Lakeview Neighbors Support Page

12/24/2025

Peter was very excited to show me the holiday tree one of you fine Lakeviewer’s sent him. He was so happy and so proud of all of his gifts. He also used some of the money another Lakeviewer donated to buy a Christmas music cassette and asked me to make a video! Thank you all so much for your kindness. Fa la la.

12/16/2025

HELP NEEDED: Peter desperately needs some more Raid for his roach problem. I am unfortunately out of town for work. Would anyone be willing to buy some raid and take it to him near Howard and Ridge (it’s far)? I can Venmo you money. Thank you!!

12/08/2025

Thank you to Jen for this amazing surprise!! Peter even got the cutest mini Christmas tree for his room!

12/08/2025

WHAT WE KNOW

1. Peter will turn 80 years old after Christmas. We believe he might be a highly functioning autistic as he is very self-sufficient despite his age and circumstances, yet he seems almost childlike in demeanor. He does not have any family. He is able to maintain a bank account at the jewel bank but he does not understand what a credit card is. He seems to know a lot about what is going on in the world and it seems like he has lived in the city forever. He is insanely proficient using the bus system.

2. Peter's financial situation is precarious. He does receive aid, of which his rent is about half. He carries all of his money on his person, so if he is robbed or he loses it - which seems to happen a lot - he has nothing. He routinely tells me strangers give him money on the street and he spends it immediately.

3. He is very lonely and craves companionship and conversation. He calls me at least twice a day to tell me about the days' news. I think this might be why he insists on being out and on the bus every day despite the time or weather. He loves people, isn't suspicious and will chat a long time on the phone.

WHAT WE NEED:

1. Advice. I could really use some people to step up and help me carry this forward. It's a lot, but most importantly, I'm a lawyer and I have no idea what I'm doing from a social work standpoint.

2. HELP. Volunteers:
-to be an admin on this page,
- who are willing to call him and chat with him
- who are willing to run groceries, toiletries, whatever up to him (he lives pretty far north)
-who know about how to figure out what other types of aid he might be entitled to
-rides to take him to things like dignity diner or introduce him to other services
-who would like to take him for a meal, or cook him one.
- who can suggest ANYTHING else we can do.

We're just me and my family so far and this whole thing was an organic Lakeview What's Happening, started by Lilka Di and brought about by just pure love. You should all own that.

Think about it and hit me up.
-

12/08/2025

Update as of 12/7/25:

Hello you beautiful, kind neighbors! Apologies for the silence - I've been traveling for work - but the news is SO amazing and wonderful. You completely bought out our entire Amazon wish-list for Peter within like a day! And so many others have offered their time, talents and money. We are just overwhelmed. And the best part? We got and meet and speak to so many of fantastic people. Now he has his new coat, his suit (with vest, shoes and tie as requested), his new socks and undergarments, slippers, plates, forks, detergent, towels, pants, sweatshirt and shovel. :) He is such a lucky guy and these things made him so happy. I fielded 12 calls a day to provide a real time live tracking of while his gifts were in route.

So thank you so much, Abel, Morgan Novelli, Elana & Family, Andrew, Haley, even sweet E.Turk, all the anonymous donors and everyone who offered, sent kind words or prayed for Peter.

We were able to get Peter a new phone (thank you super hero Chris!), and some pocket money after he was robbed last weekend. He was given his McDonald's gift cards as well. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!

12/08/2025

Posted 11/30/25

IMPORTANT PETER UPDATE: We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of offers of support, kindness and simply love. THANK YOU you gorgeous people! It has been amazing and beautiful in a time where we don't expect that much. Which is what makes the following update all the more difficult. Peter was robbed this morning and his (old) coat, phone and all of his money was stolen. He is shaken up, but otherwise fine and we will be able to get him what he needs until all of his surprises are delivered, but this is exactly the issue with him being self-sufficient, but still so incredibly vulnerable. That said, we have yet to respond to so many messages and wonderful offers of support and this is why. But also, so we don't run afoul of the rules here or clog this page, I've set up a page dedicated to supporting Peter. You can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584269081353 We will still post updates here, but for anyone who wants to help, support, or volunteer to help us secure resources for Peter, admin the page, organize a meal train ANYTHING - please head over there.

Stay tuned. More to come.

We created this page to help assist Peter, our neighbor, who is food insecure and in need of community support. We are not an officially registered charity - we are a group of neighbors trying to do what we can.

12/08/2025

Posted 11/28/25

UPDATE ON PETER: our 80-year-old, window washing neighbor!
Many of you will recall that several months ago, Lilka Di posted about an 80 yo man who was attempting to earn some cash for food by washing windows on the hottest day of the year this summer. We updated later that we found Peter and were able to take him for groceries and talk to him about his situation and needs. We believe Peter is a highly functioning autistic. He has no family and lives alone in a single boarding room where he shares his kitchen and bathroom with 3 other rooms. The heat does not work well, and we had to rush some Raid over last week because of the roaches. Despite this he is very good at taking care of himself, all things considered. He is very clean and takes pride in how neat he is. He is a happy guy. He is able to navigate the bus system expertly. While he is in great shape for his age he lives up an impossibly steep flight of stairs that are very difficult for him to drag groceries and laundry up, and his plan to "shovel snow" this winter to make money for food it not a great one. He does have a bank account and some very limited aid. He really has next to nothing as far as money or material goods. Many of you wonderful Lakeviewers expressed willingness to help, but we didn't want to collect money until we knew what he needed and we certainly don't want to give him a wad of cash for fear he might be robbed. We were able to buy Peter groceries a few times, buy him a microwave, a pair of boots and give him some pocket cash so far. But there is great news! Peter's birthday is December 28th (he calls me to remind me every day). When we asked what he wants for his birthday he said a warm coat, and new shovel (see above) and a suit (with a vest, belt, tie and shoes) that he can wear to church so he "is proud." He also made it a point to tell me that after he gets his new coat he will donate his old one to the "poor people."
So. . .since it is Black Friday and soon to be Cyber Monday, we put together a Wishlist for Peter. Please feel free to add or substitute for anything on the list - this is just what we could think of for now and what is on sale. We will add more as we think of things. He is very tall and VERY skinny. He says XL, but I think L is fine and his shoe size is 14. His biggest need is food, so I included several McDonald's gift cards (he goes daily for coffee and food if he can afford it because it is a social outlet for him and they have a Christmas tree he likes to visit daily). I've added a gift card for Jewel in my name to buy him groceries because they don't have physical cards and he cannot manage a virtual one.
If anyone is concerned about legitimacy, my legal name is above, I'm a licensed attorney (so you can find me) and I have had a career working with non-profits. I'm happy to provide any other information or transparency.
Okay you beautiful, lovely souls - thank you for restoring my faith in humanity. Love this neighborhood, love all of you.