02/13/2026
An 85 year old widow picked up the phone because she was cold. She didn't call family, she called a local tree service man and asked, “Do you have any firewood I could buy? I’m running out, and I don’t know how I’ll stay warm.”
The man who answered was Paul Brittain, the owner of the company.
When he heard her voice, he didn’t quote a price. He loaded up his truck and drove to her home.
He brought her firewood—free of charge.
But when Paul arrived, he saw more than an empty woodpile. He saw a woman who had been quietly holding everything together on her own. Her car wasn’t working properly. Her roof needed repairs. Her heating system was struggling.
So he stayed.
He fixed her car.
He repaired her roof.
He made sure her heat was working.
All of it, at no cost.
And he still wasn’t finished.
Paul shared her story online—not for praise, but because he knew others would care if they knew. Within days, strangers from everywhere donated. A GoFundMe was created, and more than $20,000 poured in to help her stay safe, warm, and secure.
All because one person answered a call with compassion instead of convenience.
The truth is, there are people like her everywhere. Quietly struggling. Not asking for much. Hoping someone will listen.
You don’t have to fix everything.
You don’t need money or a platform.
Sometimes helping looks like showing up.
Sometimes it’s making one phone call.
Sometimes it’s sharing a story so others can help too.
Pay attention to the small requests.
They’re often standing in for much bigger needs.
And if you can—be the person who shows up.
