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Viral video helps family raise $15,000, stop foreclosure

Posted at 11:31 PM, Aug 01, 2012
and last updated 2012-08-02 07:16:32-04

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) - The foreclosure notices were mounting on the kitchen table and so were the packed boxes in the living room.

“I’m embarrassed of my situation," said Rain Burroughs. 

It was a nerve-wracking situation for Burroughs and her daughter, who were just hours away from being put out of their home if they couldn’t come up with $13,000 by Thursday.

"I'm a doer. I wasn't doing for myself," said Burroughs. 

Instead, she’d  been doing for others. During the last few years, Burroughs led many demonstrations, including an Occupy Richmond protest next to the home of Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones. However this time, she had to make sure her home stayed occupied.

"I’m getting goose bumps thinking about it. People should have hope and ask for help,” said Burroughs.

That's exactly what she did, putting together a web video that went viral. People responded, not just with web clicks, but checks that added up to more than $15,000 in just two days. “I was like, it just can't be done, but, it’s done," said Burroughs.

“This cause is bigger than she is,” said marketing expert Dave Saunders. Saunders told CBS 6, the family was able to raise the money so quickly, not just because of the power of Twitter and Facebook, but because people understand what Burroughs is going through.

"She hit a cord. With so many Americans right now fighting foreclosure and so many people having a hard time trying to pay their bills,” said Saunders.