A pizza delivery driver isn’t always the first occupation that comes to mind when you hear the word “hero,” but that’s the word that could rightfully be used to describe a woman in Minnesota.
This big-hearted lady took the time to notice and express concern for one of her regular customers, a man named Lee Haase. But, unlike many people, her concern didn’t end when she walked away from this lonely man.
Instead, it spurred her to take action. What happened next will astound you!
Lee Haase had been through a lot of tragedy. When Angela and her daughter Sarah, also a pizza deliverer, first became acquainted with him, he was living in a tiny, 12-foot camper with no running water or heat.
Before moving to the camper, he was living in a different home but had to move out after it suffered severe storm damage and he couldn’t pay to get it fixed. Sarah struck up a friendship with Lee after bringing him pizzas for several weeks each Saturday night. When she told her mother about Lee’s living conditions, Angela’s heart went out to him.
The two also discovered that Lee had lost his son in a tragic snowmobile accident. After that traumatic loss, Lee’s life seemed like it had hit rock bottom. Since he was living in these difficult conditions both Angela and Sarah were worried about how he would handle the cold, harsh months of winter with no heat or running water.
Sarah took the initiative to purchase Lee a heater, but she knew it wasn’t enough to get him through the winter without possible suffering. So she started a GoFundMe page to raise awareness in her community and beyond about this neighbor in need.
She was floored at the response. People from the local area as well as complete strangers from across the globe started pouring money into the fund. It totaled more than $32,000!
With the money raised through the GoFundMe campaign, Sarah bought Lee a nice trailer with everything he would need to live comfortably through the winter. It was completely furnished and stocked with nourishing and tasty food for Lee to enjoy during the holiday season.
She even got him some warm clothes. It seems like this good Samaritan thought of everything!
Media outlets took notice of the story. Angela told the story in a video which was shared by USA Today. She recalled delivering Lee a pizza for the first time during the summer. The closer it got to winter, the more she started to wonder what he was going to do when ti got cold outside.
He didn’t even have any indoor plumbing or way to go to the restroom inside. She was so thankful for the way the community stepped up and rallied around Lee. Angela exclaimed that Lee wasn’t the only one who benefited from the project to find him housing. Instead, the whole community benefitted.
Lee was, of course, extremely touched by this unexpected outpouring of kindness and generosity. He found it difficult to put his emotions into words, saying, “It’s hard to explain.” He used the word “awesome” to try and express his feelings about the love so many had shared with him.
Other people were also amazed and brought to the point of tears at everyone’s willingness to help Lee out and give him a new start in life.
What do you think of Sarah and Angela’s desire to help their friend, Lee? We’d love to read your reaction to this story ! Pass this article along to help inspire your friends and family members to go the extra mile for those in need!
