When 85-year-old Nana Abernathy from North Carolina contacted a local tree and crane service, she was simply hoping to find a way to stay warm.
She explained that she had run out of firewood, had recently lost her husband, and would not receive her next Social Security payment until the following week. With no money to pay for another delivery, she reached out hoping someone might be willing to help.
Her call was answered by Paul Brittain, the owner of Brittain’s Tree and Crane Services. After hearing her situation, he immediately decided that she would not have to pay anything.
He arranged to deliver a generous supply of firewood directly to her home. When Nana saw the help arriving, she became overwhelmed with emotion. Tears filled her eyes as she hugged Paul, grateful for the kindness shown to her during such a difficult time.
But after learning more about what the elderly widow was going through, Paul realized that providing firewood was only the beginning.
He and his team returned to her home and decided to do much more than they had initially planned. They repaired her roof, fixed her heating and air-conditioning system, and even replaced the tires on her car.
Everything was provided completely free of charge.
The team also helped organize a cleanup of her yard and created a GoFundMe campaign to give her additional financial support. The fundraiser eventually collected more than $20,000.
What began as a simple phone call asking for help with firewood turned into an extraordinary example of compassion.
Paul Brittain and his team showed Nana that she was not alone during a difficult chapter of her life. Their generosity also inspired others to come together and support someone who needed a helping hand.
Sometimes, kindness begins with something as simple as answering a phone call. But when people choose to do more than expected, one small gesture can make a lasting difference in someone’s life.
