A kind woman raised over $390,000 for a 90-year-old disabled U.S. Air Force veteran after she saw him pawning his jewelry to pay rent and care for his wife with dementia.
When we feel like there’s no hope left, God often surprises us in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes, it’s through the kindness of a complete stranger that He shows us His love and care. Donald’s story is a perfect example of this.
Donald’s story began at U.S. Gold and Pawn in Manchester. He went there hoping to sell some jewelry because he couldn’t keep up with his rising rent and his wife’s medical needs. It must have been a tough decision for him, but he felt he had no other choice. Little did he know that this difficult moment would lead to a blessing beyond his imagination.
A young woman named Jenelle Marie happened to be at the pawn shop that day. She saw Donald and learned about his situation. Donald, who’s turning 91 on August 25, had been taking care of his wife day and night. They don’t have any children or close family to help out. Things got really tough when their landlord raised the rent, and they fell behind on their bills.
Jenelle heard how worried Donald was about losing their home and maybe having to put his wife in a nursing home. She could see how much he loved his wife and wanted to keep her at home. This touched Jenelle’s heart, and she decided to do something to help.
She set up a fundraising page online, hoping to raise enough money to help Donald find a small apartment he could afford. She’d already looked into other options, like government housing, but the waiting lists were just too long. Donald needed help right away.
In a touching moment that was caught on video, Jenelle surprised Donald with an envelope. Inside was $1,200 – the first bit of money raised to help him.
@jenellemarie0212 #veteran #actofkindness #usgoldandpawn #manchesternh #fypage #viral #feelgoodvideo ♬ original sound – Jenellemarie0212
Donald was so surprised and grateful. He told Jenelle, “You’re an angel in disguise, you really are.” He was so humble that at first, he didn’t want to take the money. But Jenelle gently insisted, telling him it was from her, her fiancé, and about 25 other kind people who wanted to help.
This money was such a blessing for Donald. He was able to keep his jewelry and pay what he owed his landlord. It must have been such a relief for him.
But that was just the beginning. As more people heard about Donald’s story, they wanted to help too. The online fundraiser grew quickly, and now it has raised over $390,000.
Jenelle was amazed by how many people wanted to help. She wrote, “We are just so blown away at all the kindness that exists out there that we very seldom hear about. You ALL are angels in disguise and THIS type of love is what this world needs.”
Jenelle decided to keep the fundraiser going longer than she’d first planned. She raised the goal to $400,000, hoping to provide long-term help for Donald and his wife. She also pointed out how this shows we need to do more to help our veterans who’ve risked so much for us.
When Jenelle told Donald that people had donated $164,000 at that point in the fundraiser, he was overwhelmed. He said he could never thank everyone enough and that he didn’t deserve it.
Donald saw himself as “just an ordinary man.” But Jenelle and the donors saw him differently – they saw a good man who’d served his country and now needed a helping hand.
For Donald, this outpouring of support was like the best birthday gift ever. He said, “This is the best birthday present anyone has ever had.” The money not only solved his immediate problems but also gave him hope for a more stable future with his wife.
Jenelle is being very careful with the donations. She plans to meet with a lawyer to set up a safe account for Donald. This way, the money will be protected and used in the best way to help Donald and his wife.
This story shows us how one person’s kindness can start a chain reaction of goodness. Jenelle’s decision to help a stranger she met at a pawn shop has touched lives far beyond their town in New Hampshire.
There are many other veterans and older people facing similar struggles. May this story inspire us to look for ways to help people in need in our own neighborhoods.
As Christians, we’re called to be like Jesus, showing love and kindness to those around us. Let’s pray for Donald and his wife, asking God to keep blessing and protecting them.
And let’s also pray for others who are struggling silently, that they too might find the help and hope they need.
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