Photo by Andrew Gormley

West Philly singer-songwriter Gretchen Elise is sharing her story of rebuilding, recuperation, and gratitude. A car crashed into her home on S. 47th Street on Christmas Eve, which spawned a GoFundMe campaign to recoup losses and record a song called “Grateful Love.”

The Fox 29 clip of the hit and run went national. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

“The driver took out a tree, 4 cars, backed into our house, and fled,” Gretchen said. “We have not had any follow up from the police on our case and unfortunately with the time consuming process of repair, we haven’t had time to pursue it.”

Gretchen and her family spent the night boarding up the gaping hole in their wall. Her teens slept upstairs, undisturbed.

“The miracle started on Christmas Day as several neighbors brought plywood and helped board up the wall so we could still celebrate Christmas,” Gretchen says. “People really came to our aid – especially our Cedar Park, West Philly network, and musicians city-wide. People brought food, groceries, dinners, sent cash, donated expertise, and checked in.”

“All this generosity made me break down one night, and out flowed my new song ‘Grateful Love’…I am just so grateful to feel all the love from our community. It truly is priceless. I’m grateful no one was hurt.”

A live version was filmed in Gretchen’s “injured” living room with a group of musician friends – many local to West Philly – and submitted to the NPR Tiny Desk Contest.

In the wake of the Christmas Eve accident, Gretchen has raised the question of the South 47th St. redesign, which was completed last fall. The street was turned into a one-way street, with parking lanes on both sides and a parking separated bike lane.

“I spoke to the Streets Department and local legislators about the very Wild West-ish bike lane and buffer zone created when 47th shifted to a one-way street. I believe this zone enabled the driver to access our house. After we get the house repaired, I will certainly bring this question to the front burner.”

The GoFundMe will help Gretchen rebuild and record a studio quality version of Grateful Love. Contributions are welcome.

“We hope to rebuild the front of our house so it’s more accommodating for live music events (West Philly Porchfest and beyond),” she added. “Just as valuable to us as contributions are the messages, the calls, and reminders that our network of love and support is strong.”