WCCO Viewers Buy Minneapolis Man New Landscaping Equipment After Theft
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's been just three days since WCCO shared the story of a single father and landscaper whose livelihood was stolen. Over the weekend, viewers made sure Danny Ellis's story had a happy ending.
Just feet from a church and feet from his home, someone stole a trailer full of equipment from Ellis. He uses the equipment to run his landscaping business. The widower has eight kids and helps take care of his mom.
Alan Merwin, a retired sales manager and his wife saw the story on WCCO.
"My wife and I were watching the TV when channel 4 was interviewing Danny," he said. "It grabbed my heart and I says to my wife, 'We need to do something for that family."
Just before that, Merwin had spotted a trailer for sale in Medina for $2,000.
"I decided this is going to be my gift to this family so they can get back to work," he said.
Merwin says he'd hoped to travel to Louisiana to help flood victims, but his wife was injured so he needed to stay nearby. He says this was another important way he could help.
Helping is part of his mission -- the phrase "L-GLO" is on his license plate.
"'L-GLO' stands for 'Love God, love others,'" he said. "That's what I'm doing today."
Merwin showed up at Ellis' north Minneapolis home Monday morning. The two quickly bonded, and hugged.
"He's a good man, we've become friends," Merwin said.
Ellis also connected with several other WCCO viewers.
"I had a young gentleman who seen my story on WCCO and brought me this lawn mower here," he said, standing in front of his pile of new lawn equipment.
Another viewer named Doug took him on a shopping spree to Menard's. Ellis said he is so very thankful for the generous gifts.
"There's more good people in Minneapolis than people know," he said.
So whoever it was who thought they were taking something away from Danny Ellis should know -- they didn't.
After Merwin got the trailer in place, he and Ellis said goodbye, hugged and exchanged "I love you's."
Thanks to our wonderful and kind viewers, Danny is almost set -- the only thing he still needs is a riding mower.
And there's always one thing he can still use -- more business. If you are looking for someone to keep your yard tidy -- using brand new equipment -- contact Danny Ellis with the information below:
Ellis Landscaping LLC
612-475-4451
dannybrandi12@gmail.com
UPDATE (Sept. 14, 2016):
