What a week it has been

You might want to grab a scorecard for this one — but even then, it’s hard to capture everything that unfolded, and more importantly, what it all meant.

Just a week ago, we learned that a woman and her 5-year-old boy would be moving in on Monday. Then, the next day, plans shifted — Tuesday instead. But almost immediately, Monday filled again, this time with a mother and her two young daughters needing our help.

That Monday move came together because of the steady hands and generous hearts of Billy Dankos, Doug Free, Jim Griffin, Andre Jackson, Bob Hamilton, Bob Kane, Dan Keegan, and Chris Leonette. And behind the scenes, making a house feel like a home, were Dorea McMahon, Cindy Pozluszny, and Pat Succar.

There was a glitch, but even that was self-imposed. Months ago, we ordered a bed with built-in storage, thinking it was a great idea. When we realized how complicated it was to assemble, we quietly set it aside… for nine months.

This time, we decided it was finally going to be used.

After the movers left and most had gone home, six remained. Jim Griffin, to his credit, happily declared he enjoys this sort of thing. The rest of us… weren’t quite as convinced. And yet, we stayed, because that’s what this group does.

The real heroes in that moment were Dan Keegan and Chris Leonette — strong, patient, and far more generous with their time than they needed to be. They stood with us for over an hour, enduring confusion, debate, and more than a few misplaced bolts, until that bed finally stood assembled. They could have been anywhere else — but they chose to be there.

Then came Tuesday — or what we thought would be Tuesday.

Just two hours before we were set to gather, the move was canceled. We told the client we would do our best to reschedule, though it might take days.

And then, this morning at 9:00, everything changed again.

The move was back on. Today.

Why?

Because the story we thought we knew wasn’t the full story.

This wasn’t just a mother and her 5-year-old son. This was a mother caring for a 5-year-old autistic boy. A mother doing so with a broken foot, in a cast. A mother who had been living in a motel room for months, waiting — hoping — for a chance at something better.

So we sent out the call, not knowing if anyone could respond on such short notice.

And so, our people showed up.

Don Butcher, Pat Casey, Doug Free, Jack Gibala, Mike Harper, Brian Hinkle, Susie Dyer, Barbara Emanuele, Kathleen McGuan, Cathy Monge, and Marian Moriarity all stepped forward without hesitation.

No, they weren’t “lifters.” But that didn’t matter, because then came Christian and his brother Cayden Kirtland — two young men from the St. Pat’s Teen Club — who brought not just strength, but heart. They could have handled the entire move themselves, but instead, they worked alongside all of us with humility and kindness that speaks volumes about who they are.

And then there were the quiet, beautiful moments — the kind that don’t make headlines but mean everything. The women realized that a mother on crutches couldn’t possibly shop for groceries… and so they filled her refrigerator. That’s what compassion looks like.

Some of our regulars couldn’t make it today — they had prior commitments (yes, we know… golfing). But even so, everything came together. It always does, because of you.

And now, tonight, a mother and her son — who have endured more than most of us can imagine — are settling into a furnished apartment. A real home. A place where they can begin again.

Moments like this remind us why we do what we do.

And when the day comes for each of us to stand before the Pearly Gates, and St. Peter opens that heavy book, I hope you remember these moments. I hope you tell him about the beds assembled, the trucks loaded, the groceries stocked, the lives quietly changed.

Because I truly believe this: those gates will not just open for you. They will swing wide. With gratitude for all that you do.