CEDAR RAPIDS -- Around the country, people are losing their homes to lenders. But one local family's determined not to let that happen.

A community is rallying together to help a family that has fallen behind on its mortgage payments. This might be the family's last option.

The family is facing foreclosure on their Cedar Rapids home. They've all moved to Anamosa to a more affordable house, but their Cedar Rapids home is still on the market.

Now, the family is taking unusual steps to raise money to keep themselves out of foreclosure.

When Doug Johnston got laid off, the family missed a few mortgage payments.

The mortgage company fined them, and their payment doubled.

Next week, the family plans to auction almost every item they own so they can avoid foreclosure.

"Basically all we've got until we can sell the house," Johnston said.

An antique sewing machine and a wood burning stove are just a few of the items for sale.

“This is kind of the last hope we have," Johnston said.

Johnston's wife and two kids have also struggled with this situation.

"A lot of things we haven't been able to do that we normally did. A lot of opportunities that we've had to pass up on for our kids...things they wanted to do through school," Johnston said.

The family's realtor says she's seen a lot of people with the same problems.

"I think a lot of it has to do with the shoddy mortgage companies out there that went and told people false hopes and false dreams," Warren Wortman Realtor Debra Henson said.

Johnston says he's grateful people in Anamosa are helping organize the auction.

"It's all come really fast and totally unexpected," Johnston said.

The ultimate goal is to raise enough money to make a few more payments while the family waits for someone to buy their house.

The city assessed the Johnston's home at $96,000, but the family is selling it for $85,000.

The auction will be Wednesday night (January 16th) at the Lawrence Community Center in Anamosa. It starts at 5:30 p.m.

If you'd like information about the Johnston family's home, contact realtor Debra Henson -- 319.480.2700. The house is located at 1402 1st Ave. NW.