100-Year-Old Woman Saved From Homelessness by Tony Robbins
"She's very proud of her new home," Robbins said.
— -- A 100-year-old woman who was facing homelessness is now living in a new apartment, thanks to community members and a generous donation from the one and only Tony Robbins.
Last week, Robbins, a famous philanthropist and motivational speaker, offered Evelyn Heller $1,000 per month to cover her rent for up to two years.
Robbins heard of the centenarian's troubles after reading a local newspaper article, he told ABC News.
"I've seen things like this before and wanted to spontaneously help out," Robbins said. "Since she has no one, I wanted to step in and take care of her -- that was the main reason. Sometimes it's just about helping somebody...."
Heller was ordered out of her Palm Desert, California, home and told to pay $616 in "holdover damages" after losing a trial on April 1, according to court documents.
Heller was also ordered to pay more than $900 in court and attorney’s fees following the judgment in favor of the plaintiff and landlord, Deep Canyon Desert LLC. Heller's landlord did not respond to ABC News' request for comment.
The company had argued that Heller should be evicted due to loud, disruptive arguments and because her apartment was being kept in "deplorable conditions," The Desert Sun reported.
Robbins discovered Heller's story after it was published on the front page of The Desert Sun. Robbins had been in Palm Desert at the time for the American Documentary Film Festival, which featured his movie, "I Am Not Your Guru."
Robbins said he spoke to Heller on the phone several times, and soon offered to pay her rent for two years, totaling $24,000.
"She at first didn't understand," Robbins said of Heller's reaction. "She said, 'What? You're kidding me. No, no that's not possible. God bless you.'"
Adult Protective Services of Riverside County helped Heller find her new apartment located in La Quinta, California.
Congressman Raul Ruiz introduced Heller to APS, which is a program that assists the elderly.
"When I read in The Desert Sun about Evelyn Heller being evicted I was concerned for her and asked my staff to find her to help and make sure she was OK and not homeless," Ruiz released in a statement to ABC News. "With the help of several agencies and a generous anonymous community member Evelyn now has secure housing. Thank you to all our community angels who helped us find her housing...."
Today, Heller is enjoying her place in La Quinta. Robbins said he plans on visiting Heller later this week so she can show him where she lives.
"She's very proud of her new home," Robbins said.
Robbins, who's fed millions with his larger charity projects, said his goal in sharing Heller's story is to inspire other to pay it forward.
His organization, the Anthony Robbins Foundation, delivers food to low-income families each year. Robbins has also partnered with Feeding America, where he'll be matching donations made by the public.
"If people are inspired by this story and want to act on it, they can make a donation to Feeding America," Robbins said. "If it's $5, or $100,000, it doesn't matter. Whatever the amount is, I'll match it."
