By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

Joyce Haggard, who was forced to move from her trailer in Crest Hills mobile home park, reacts as she opens an envelope containing a $5,000 check. The Enquirer/PATRICK REDDY

ELSMERE - Joyce Haggard, 62, was forced to move from her mobile home last week. She's nursing a sore foot, smashed hand and cut finger this week - injuries she got while moving and working at her two jobs.

"If there were only two people in a lottery, I would lose every time," she said. "That's just been my luck."

But her luck has finally changed.

After a story on Haggard's displacement from her home and mounting bills was published in the Enquirer on July 7, a cashier's check from an anonymous person was sent to the paper.

It was made out to Haggard for $5,000.

"You've got to be kidding," said Haggard, who cried when told of the anonymous gift. "I've never gotten anything in my life unless I worked for it. I can't believe this."

Haggard was so astounded that she called the newspaper back a few minutes later to make sure the phone call was real.

Haggard and her son, who has epilepsy, are one of about 130 families who have already moved or are moving this month from Crest Mobile Home Park in Crescent Springs so that Bear Creek Capital of Montgomery can build a $56 million shopping and office complex.

Families whose homes can be moved and choose to move to one of four mobile home parks owned by Holiday Homes or SSK Communities will receive $5,500 for moving expenses.

Residents who buy a new or used mobile home in one of those four communities will receive $3,500 for a down payment, while families who don't move into one of those communities will be given $1,500 for moving expenses.

The developers have said their agreement with the property owner prohibits them from distributing any relocation money until the closing.

"There's no definite date yet, but the closing's imminent," Greg Scheper, director of acquisitions for Bear Creek, said Tuesday.

"We are just as anxious as the residents (of the mobile home park) to get this squared away as soon as possible."

Haggard bought her 1983 mobile home last year with plans to rehab it.

She still owes $1,600 on that trailer and had to take out another $5,000 loan for her new home at Heartland Pointe, a mobile home park in Elsmere.

Haggard works 50-60 hours a week at two jobs, has no savings and has numerous medical bills.

She said she will use the money to pay off the loan on the old trailer and pay as many bills as she can.

The cashier's check was obtained at Peoples Community Bank on Blue Ash Road in Deer Park.

The check was attached to a photocopy of last week's article on Haggard with a handwritten note that said, "I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ."

The bank verified the check came from them, but could not give any more information.

Cashier's checks do not require the signature of the person the check is from.

"I wish I knew who it was. I really want to thank them," said Haggard, who also has a strong, religious faith. "God knows what he is doing. I don't always agree with it, but he knows what he's doing."

E-mail williamcroyle@yahoo.com