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Story by Patrick Robinson and Steve Shay

BENEFIT

UPDATE: Vera Johnson and supporters celebrated at her fundraiser at Big Al Brewing in White Center Wednesday night. The benefit was scheduled well in advance to help her with her Village Green Nursery business which risked foreclosure. However, she and supporters learned of her loan approval by Bank of America just a few hours prior to the start of the event.

"They called me at like 2:15 and sent a press release 10 minutes later," Johnson told a little cluster of supporters who took turns hugging her at the fundraiser. "They gave me a 40-year mortgage. This was so f***ing stressful! Oh my God. I can breath now."

"It's a lot better than her being stressed out," said Johanna, 14, Vera's daughter.

"I sometimes like to garden," said Johanna's brother and Vera's son Rowan, who turns 10 in five days. "I like carrots, lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, and a lot more vegetables."

White Center resident and community advocate, and John L. Scott Realty agent Aileen Sison helped organize the event and emceed. Full Tilt Ice Cream's Justin Cline also organized the event.

Kimberly Leeper is a customer and friend of Johnson. She owns Mariposa Naturescapes based in Arbor Heights. She focuses on design and installation of native, edible and wildlife plants.

"I taught a rain garden class at Village Green," Leeper said. "I definitely wanted to support Vera. I love Village Green and what they are doing there. I also try to incorporate permaculture principles into what I'm doing like what she does. We have a lot of overlap in what we do, Earth-friendly, good for the planet, good for the people."

A booth was set up by friends and family of 23 year-old Sweetheart Failautusi who was murdered two weeks ago to raise money for a bench to be placed in White Center in her memory.

The White Center Food Bank also received donations.
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BACKGROUND

Part of Vera Johnson's battle has been won. Johnson the owner of Village Green Nursery in White Center whose home and business have been in jeopardy of foreclosure heard from Bank of America this afternoon that she has been approved for a loan modification provided through Fannie Mae

Her battle with the bank began some eighteen months ago during which she fell increasingly behind in her payments as the bank requested multiple submissions of paperwork. But no resolution seemed to be likely.

Then the media picked up her story and an online petition from Change.org was started with more than 16,000 signatures carrying enough weight to get the bank's attention. They were delivered by hand by Johnson on Aug. 9.

Today, Dennis Day, Bank of America Vice President called to tell her she has been approved for a loan modification. She will meet with Day on Thursday Sept. 1 to look over the terms and potentially sign the papers.

While complete details are not available, Johnson said the terms offered have been changed from a 30 year at 6% to a 40 year loan at 2%. This would take her loan payment to approximately $1200 per month and with taxes and insurance bring the total to $1700 to $1800. The rate would escalate every year by 1%.

"It's not what I hoped for honestly. I needed it to be less than that so I'm still open and willing to talk to investors. I was contacted by the people at Sustainable West Seattle though I don't know them yet. And a group of five guys was here for the concert on Sunday and were talking about private investing and what I would need in terms of interest and payments."

Her conversation with Day was "interesting" Johnson said.

"I think he seemed a little tentative. He said, "I've got good news, you've been approved and I can tell you a little bit but I want to meet with you tomorrow so we don't have any mis-communication.' He was cautious I'd say but probably happy to be the one to tell me. I have a hard time getting excited about it."

Johnson said that Day urged her to continue to seek another loan provider in the interim.

A party set for tonight will now become something of a celebration with monies raised possibly going to pay off her loan, or potentially help her improve or expand her business. Either way she's relieved.

"I'm happy and just hope more people can get these. I'm sitting here in shock and not sure what to do. Holy crap."

For their part the bank shared this:
"As soon as we learned of Vera Johnson’s concerns, Bank of America employees at our Seattle Customer Assistance Center began working closely with her to understand her financial situation and collect the necessary paperwork. Based on the financial documents she provided and some last minute issues we identified and were able to help her resolve, Fannie Mae extended to Ms. Johnson a permanent modification."

BANK SPOKESPERSON COMMENTS

Jumana Bauwens is a spokesperson for Dennis Day. "She has a very complicated situation...you have just a gamut of things happening to this lady and now she is on her own. She had to have her divorce decree, profit and loss statement. We're very happy we could do this. Dennis is the regional guy who handles a few different states and he has taken her case and has handled it personally. Bank of America can't always help but we are glad that this time we did."