Everyone has a story to tell.
Unfortunately, most people would rather judge based on appearance, hearsay, or reputation instead of listening and helping.
Like many others who have lost hope, Brian Bannister felt that it was the end of the road for him.
He accepted his fate and didn’t even bother with dreaming.
He was 60 years old and homeless.
One day, Danielle MacDuff saw Brian Bannister just outside a local drugstore. He was reading a book and collecting spare change from the people passing by.
Danielle felt drawn to the man who was silently reading, so she went up to him.
MacDuff spoke to Bannister and their conversation lasted for over 25 minutes.
Before saying goodbye, she asked the kind man if he wanted to work on her family farm the very next day.
Bannister couldn’t believe it.
“It floored me. It just came from the heart with her and I got to thank her every day,” said Bannister.
Before the job offer, 60-year-old Bannister had been homeless for a while.
He was living in a shed.
He was just surviving and each day was a challenge. Life wasn’t easy for the old man, but he was a fighter.
He overcame addiction, survived abuse, and even lost the two women he loved. His first wife died in a crash, and his second wife died of cancer.
The toughest part was the past two years of his life. He admitted that he felt that he finally wanted to give up.
At his darkest moment, a light shined through.
A stranger, a kind woman, came up to him and offered him a job.
Bannister knew there were a lot of tasks if he would work on the farm, and he was excited about it.
His daily tasks included cleaning stalls, hauling hay, caring for and feeding over 200 animals, and so much more.
This gave Bannister purpose.
And he was so thankful to MacDuff for the opportunity that was given to him.
“He’s so kind, compassionate, he’s amazing with my children, my animals. And his willingness to help me on the farm is very, very much appreciated,” MacDuff said, impressed by Mr. Bannister’s work.
In a viral TikTok post from CTV News Toronto that gained over 244K, we see how teary-eyed Bannister was.
MacDuff didn’t just give him a job.
She also gave him free rides to work, gave him his first haircut and smooth shave after two long years, assisted him to get provincial financial support, and provided him with a cellphone.
Even the local community was inspired by MacDuff’s kindness. They got together and found a way to help Bannister even more.
They raised funds to give him clothes, blankets, and money. Mac Duffy had set up a GoFundMe account for him too.
For Bannister, MacDuffy is heaven-sent.
For the latter, it’s the other way around. MacDuffy was impressed by how dedicated Bannister was to his job. According to her, he gives 100% on his job.
If given a second chance in life, a lot of people are like Bannister, willing to work hard to have a better life.
Each person that you come across has a story. Try to listen and maybe, like MacDuffy, we will be able to help someone in need.
Watch the short but touching interview of how Bannister got back on his feet below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
@ctvnewstoronto 60-year-old Brian Bannister was unhoused, overcame addiction, survived abuse and lost two wives, one in a crash, the other to cancer. Over the past two years, he says he gave up. But then he met Danielle McDuff in Newcastle, Ontario, who did more than just offer him a job on her farm. She also got him his first haircut in two years, a phone, access to government supports and an a rare camaraderie made possible through selfless acts of kindness. #ctvnews #ctvnewstoronto #toronto #ctvtoronto #news #explore #foryou #fyp #ontario #canada #gta #newcastle #farm #homeless #unhoused #actsofkindness #goodsamaritan #canadiankindness #goodnews #goodnewsstory #goodnewstiktok #newstiktok #kindnessmatters #actsofservice #homelessness #goodpeople #gooddeeds #canadiantiktok ♬ original sound – ctvnewstoronto
