How a kind act by tradies saved a Holocaust survivor from homelessness
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We know that a bit of kindness can go a long way, especially since we don’t know if the people we’re interacting with may be facing challenges in their day-to-day lives.
And today, we bring you an inspiring story that demonstrates how a warm heart can change a life for the better.
In the bustling Sydney neighbourhood of Bondi Junction, an elderly Holocaust survivor named Lilly faced a frightening situation – the prospect of homelessness.
Lilly, who has been suffering from dementia, had called her single-bedroom apartment on Botany Street home for a staggering 50 years. Having barely enough to cover her weekly $200 rent with her Centrelink payments, she sometimes had to sacrifice food in order to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, her situation took a turn for the worse when her landlord informed her that she'd need to move out temporarily during renovation works on the property.
With no one else to turn to, Lilly found herself in a desperate position.
Enter two big-hearted tradies who were working on the renovations, Jarrad Gordon and Gary Gild from J3G Construction.
Struck by Lilly's situation, they not only reached out to her New York-based landlord but also managed to secure temporary accommodation for her at the Meriton Apartments while her home was being renovated, with her landlord agreeing to cover the rent.
Jarrad and Gary also helped Lilly move all her possessions out of her apartment and even fixed her record player when she couldn't afford a $30 belt.
‘I just felt heartbroken for her, just seeing the state that she was living in and not having a single person in her life and no money,’ Jarrad told reporters.
‘She's got no family. She’s got no friends. She’s just completely isolated. No one would even know she was alive or if she died.’
Realising that Lilly faced financial troubles even after she could move back into her renovated apartment, Jarrad and Gary went above and beyond to help her.
They started a fundraiser to support Lilly and raise money for her future living expenses.
‘Lilly is extremely anxious and nervous about the move as she has been living in the same building for the last 50 years and is not good with change,’ the fundraiser page on GoFundMe read.
‘We would like to raise some funds and give her a helping hand she deserves, entitling her to try and live a normal life,’ it continued.
‘It would be greatly appreciated if anyone has a spare few dollars they are willing to donate.’
The fundraising effort exceeded all expectations, raising over $20,000 in just five days – double the original $10,000 target.
In a slightly similar heartwarming story, a community of good Samaritans came together to help one elderly gentleman find a home and give him a fresh start in life.
According to reports, the 74-year-old faced early entry into an aged care facility just to have somewhere to live. He said he moved to the South Coast about a year ago with his sister. This came after a series of crises that unfortunately left the man homeless. You can read the rest of the story here.
Stories like Lilly's highlight the beauty and strength of the human spirit, showing that empathy, compassion, and kindness truly can make a world of difference. For our members dealing with difficult circumstances, it serves as a reminder that there are people out there willing to lend a helping hand.
Do you know of any stories of people being helped out in difficult situations? Have you ever benefited from a kind act yourself? Share your stories and experiences in the comments below.
And today, we bring you an inspiring story that demonstrates how a warm heart can change a life for the better.
In the bustling Sydney neighbourhood of Bondi Junction, an elderly Holocaust survivor named Lilly faced a frightening situation – the prospect of homelessness.
Lilly, who has been suffering from dementia, had called her single-bedroom apartment on Botany Street home for a staggering 50 years. Having barely enough to cover her weekly $200 rent with her Centrelink payments, she sometimes had to sacrifice food in order to make ends meet.
Lilly had lived in her home for over 50 years. Credit: Huỳnh Đạt/Pexels
Unfortunately, her situation took a turn for the worse when her landlord informed her that she'd need to move out temporarily during renovation works on the property.
With no one else to turn to, Lilly found herself in a desperate position.
Enter two big-hearted tradies who were working on the renovations, Jarrad Gordon and Gary Gild from J3G Construction.
Struck by Lilly's situation, they not only reached out to her New York-based landlord but also managed to secure temporary accommodation for her at the Meriton Apartments while her home was being renovated, with her landlord agreeing to cover the rent.
This is the apartment building that Lilly has lived in for decades. Credit: Google Maps
Jarrad and Gary also helped Lilly move all her possessions out of her apartment and even fixed her record player when she couldn't afford a $30 belt.
‘I just felt heartbroken for her, just seeing the state that she was living in and not having a single person in her life and no money,’ Jarrad told reporters.
‘She's got no family. She’s got no friends. She’s just completely isolated. No one would even know she was alive or if she died.’
Realising that Lilly faced financial troubles even after she could move back into her renovated apartment, Jarrad and Gary went above and beyond to help her.
They started a fundraiser to support Lilly and raise money for her future living expenses.
‘Lilly is extremely anxious and nervous about the move as she has been living in the same building for the last 50 years and is not good with change,’ the fundraiser page on GoFundMe read.
‘We would like to raise some funds and give her a helping hand she deserves, entitling her to try and live a normal life,’ it continued.
‘It would be greatly appreciated if anyone has a spare few dollars they are willing to donate.’
The fundraising effort exceeded all expectations, raising over $20,000 in just five days – double the original $10,000 target.
In a slightly similar heartwarming story, a community of good Samaritans came together to help one elderly gentleman find a home and give him a fresh start in life.
According to reports, the 74-year-old faced early entry into an aged care facility just to have somewhere to live. He said he moved to the South Coast about a year ago with his sister. This came after a series of crises that unfortunately left the man homeless. You can read the rest of the story here.
Stories like Lilly's highlight the beauty and strength of the human spirit, showing that empathy, compassion, and kindness truly can make a world of difference. For our members dealing with difficult circumstances, it serves as a reminder that there are people out there willing to lend a helping hand.
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