Hi everyone! Meet the Durant family! Exactly one year ago this wonderful family came out to eat at my work. I am a server at a local restaurant here in Melbourne, Florida. Since the very first day we met, I knew they were MY people. After our first interaction, we exchanged numbers and added each other on social media, and throughout the year we became close friends. This family has struggled immensely since having two children with developmental disabilities. This year alone has been difficult for them, and to add the events of 2020 on top of it has broken my heart.

A few days ago, the mom and daughter of this family saw me working through our big front windows and decided to come in and eat. While I was interacting with them, I was also waiting on a single woman. She calls me over as she was going to pay her $12.50 bill and said that she really wanted to pay for these people’s food as well. With tears in both of our eyes I told her how amazing she was, and how sweet, wonderful, and DESERVING these people were to do that for. She said how happy they were to eat, and really wanted to treat them. I thanked her a million times because it felt like someone helping a family member to me. I said bye to this woman and after she was already gone, this is what I read on her credit slip. “Thank you for serving that table with such KINDNESS. It’s easy to tell why they love coming here and seeing you”. Her note touched my heart so much that I wanted to tell the world about it, and so I posted to Facebook. 

Their story went viral within a few hours, as so many people all over the country truly connected with this family. I had so many people offer to send funds to get them a gift card to my work so they could eat another good meal with me. In just a few hours, I received $140 in donations. When I went to work the next morning with those funds, I purchased the $140 giftcard. I texted the family when I got to let them know I had a gift, and asked if I could swing by. This video is the reaction to that extremely generous gift.

Now recently the family had saved every single penny from their jobs and SS, that they were able to finally get a place to call their own. They have been SO HAPPY, and SO GRATEFUL to have a roof over their heads that they didn’t even mention they had not ONE piece of furniture.  Which brings me to the reason for this fundraiser...

If you connect with this AMAZING family like I have, I pray that Gods puts it on your heart to donate to their furniture fund. They are sleeping with just a pillow and blanket on the floor, and although they are so happy with what they have, I truly feel that TOGETHER we can help get them some beds, a couch, and a kitchen table.

When I asked the youngest son to send me pictures of the new place, and it was completely bare, I just knew people would love them like I do and would want to help!

 Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I genuinely appreciate everyone who adds to this cause. Whether you can donate funds, donate gently used furniture or home decor, or just share so that others may be able to help, I appreciate you! Thank you again and I hope your family stays well and blessed! XOXO Jen