When you work in the food industry, you oftentimes get to know your “regulars” – especially if they’re consistent.
Every Saturday at 10:15, an order would come in for a pizza delivery to a home in Ham Lake, Minnesota. Angela Nguyen knew exactly who it was, because she had been delivering Domino’s Pizza to 76-year-old Lee Haase for years.
Lee lived in extreme poverty in the rural outskirts of Anoka County, but Angela had no idea just how dire his circumstances were until her daughter, who is also a delivery driver for the pizza chain, noticed one day that Lee’s tiny 10-foot trailer had no heat, plumbing, or electricity.
Like many his age, Lee was retired and lived on a fixed income from social security. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough to provide for his basic survival needs!
To give you an idea of just how heartbreaking his situation was, Lee’s weekend pizza delivery from Domino’s was the only meal he ate all week. It was all that he could afford.
Sadly, Lee’s living conditions weren’t any better. His home was basically a tin can, and he had no means to prepare for the harsh Minnesota winter ahead!
In a video posted by Humankind, Angela says:
“I thought we got to do something. We got to do something. We can’t let a human being live like this.”
Lee fell on hard times after a storm destroyed his home, and he had been living in the beat-up old trailer ever since. When his son passed away in a snowmobile accident, he pretty much gave up on life and resigned himself to just withering away.
Angela knew that if she didn’t step in to help, he might not live long enough to see the coming spring. She bought a heater for Lee so that he could keep his camper warm for the winter, which was a step in the right direction. But, she also knew deep down in her heart that it wasn’t going to be enough to get him through the harsh Minnesota winter.
With the help of her daughter, Sarah Hughes, Angela setup a GoFundMe page to help Lee get back on his feet.
“Not in our community!!!!”
That was the headline for the GoFundMe page Angela setup for Lee. After she explained to the crowdfunding site that Lee had no power and had only been eating one meal a week, the donations started pouring in. Some even came from far away as Australia!
After word of Lee’s plight made its way onto social media, the local community pitched in to help. Domino’s Pizza, which was Lee’s only source of food, also did their part and they donated $2,000 to crowdfunding campaign.
It only took two months for the fundraising page to raise an astounding $32,000, which was used to buy Lee a new home. Volunteers, which included surveyors, electricians, and painters, were all on hand to make sure that Lee would be well taken care of.
Angela, her family, and some local community members were beyond excited when it was finally time to present Lee with his early Christmas gift.
“You remember when this started and I promised you we were going to help you? Merry Christmas.”
When Lee got a tour of his new home, it was already fully furnished, and the kitchen pantry was filled to the brim with food. Then, when he saw his bedroom, he was almost in tears when he saw the words “joy, hope, love, peace, believe” written on a sign hanging on his bedroom wall.
Lee couldn’t believe that he was surrounded by such loving, kindhearted folks!
“It’s wonderful. I’m so grateful for the people doing this.”
In addition to having a safe and warm home, Lee has been gifted a wonderful new set of friends that care about him. He really does have plenty to be grateful for.
Watch the video below to see more on this heartwarming story!
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