Many of us often hide the extent of our struggles from others.
But thankfully, the world is full of good friends who are always on the lookout for us.
When an elderly woman found herself in a difficult situation, her best friend stepped up to lend a hand, setting in motion a series of events that would lead to a miraculous Christmas.
This woman wasn’t alone; she had six children to look after.
Meet Ella Setzler, a 72-year-old widow who took in all six of her great-grandchildren.
While this might seem like an overwhelming responsibility to many, Ella believes it’s all worth it.
In her words, “They mean so much to me, they’re my heart, I had to rescue them.”
However, this dedicated great-grandmother was facing some serious difficulties behind the scenes.
Ella was grappling with severe financial troubles.
As a military widow, she wasn’t earning much income on her own, and the cost of caring for six children on top of living expenses was proving to be too much.
Her regular bills for rent, car, utilities, and childcare were already a burden, but a water leak in her home that would cost $900 to fix added to her financial woes.
She simply didn’t have the means to cope with all these expenses.
Fortunately, Ella had a good friend, Alice, who was aware of her situation.
Alice knew Ella needed help, but she couldn’t solve all of Ella’s problems herself.
Alice expressed her feelings, saying, “She’s hurting and I’m hurting ‘cos I can’t help her.”
Alice, though unable to cover all of Ella’s needs, knew how to seek help.
She reached out to the FOX5 Surprise Squad, a group that accepts nominations for community members in need.
The Surprise Squad responded to Alice’s call for help.
When Ella realized what was happening, she was overcome with emotion.
Alice arrived, and the two best friends shared a heartfelt hug.
The community rallied around Ella, with organizations like Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada and Aqua Plumbing stepping in to fix her water issues for free.
This act of kindness alone was enough to bring tears to Ella’s eyes.
But the assistance Ella received wasn’t just about sorting out her financial issues.
The team also recognized the importance of giving Ella a chance to pamper herself.
After hearing the good news about her house repairs, a limousine pulled up to take Ella and Alice for a much-deserved spa day.
The surprises didn’t stop there.
The Surprise Squad went above and beyond, fully decorating Ella’s house for Christmas.
They deep-cleaned the house, brought in new furniture, and even set up a Christmas tree.
Underneath the tree, they placed presents for all of Ella’s children, including $500 gift cards for each child.
The most significant gift came from United Nissan, who decided to pay Ella’s rent for an entire year.
The company owners were so moved by Ella’s warmth and kindness that they wanted to help.
Overwhelmed by the generosity, Ella couldn’t hold back her tears.
“The Lord has heard my prayers! Trust in the Lord and He’ll make a way for you! He made a way for me,” she exclaimed.
This act of kindness transformed Ella’s life and proved that she indeed had a wonderful friend.
As one of Ella’s great-granddaughters put it, “It’s not about presents. It’s about loving your family.”
Watch the heartwarming moment the surprise squad meets Ella in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
