Composer Records Song To Help Needy Friend
Nov. 2000

More Info
www.angelfire.com/ut2/turtles

Jan. 16, 2001-- An update, now, on a touching story of friendship and charity. An elderly woman who has spent her life in the service of others, now finds herself in need.

One young woman has vowed to help, and others are joining in the effort. News Specialist Shelley Osterloh has details.

Olive Christensen enjoys spending time at home, doing her crocheting, but she'd rather be at work. That's because she has a $40,000 mortgage on her once-paid-off home.

The 71-year-old woman is recovering from a bacterial infection that attacked her heart and nearly killed her. She was driving to the doctor's when she became disoriented.

Olive Christensen: AND THERE WAS A COUPLE THAT WAS FOLLOWING ME AND THOUGHT I WAS A DRUNK DRIVER. AND WHEN THEY WENT BY ME, THEY KNEW WHEN THEY SAW ME SLOUCHED OVER, THEY KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

Doctors told her she may have gotten the infection from the dentist's office or a cut on her leg. She administers antibiotics every eight hours through a tube in her arm.

Life has dealt some tough cards to Olive, but she has always given what she can to others.

She raised six children on her own, and then two grandchildren. One of her adult granddaughters sued her for money the girl thought she was owed from her deceased mother's insurance.

Olive says she spent the money raising the girl, but was ordered to pay because she lacked proper documentation.

So she mortgaged her home.

It was here on a medical equipment assembly line that she met Dawn Wisdom, a 31-year-old woman who was touched by Olive's kindness and generosity to others.

Dawn is a songwriter who plans to pay Olive's mortgage through the sale of her CD.

Dawn Wisdom/Recording artist: I WANT HER TO RETIRE AND NOT HAVE TO HAVE THE STRESS OF GOING TO WORK. IT'S HARD, I WORKED ON THAT ASSEMBLY LINE, IT'S HARD WHEN YOU ARE STANDING ON YOUR FEET 12 HOURS A DAY, FORTY HOURS A WEEK.

And now, entertainer Julie de Azevedo has offered to do a benefit concert for Olive. She saw our story and was touched by the remarkable friendship of these two women.

Julie de Azevedo/Singer and songwriter: AND OLIVE HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR PEOPLE IN HER FAMILY AND SACRIFICED A LOT. SO, I WAS JUST INSPIRED BY BOTH OF THE WOMEN AND WANTED TO BE A PART OF IT.

So March 1st, these women will share their gifts of music, to pay a mortgage, and help someone who has spent a lifetime helping others.

Julie de Azevedo's concert is March 1st at Weber State University.

For more information on the concert and the CD's go to www.angelfire.com/ut2/turtles.