A single father struggling to get back on his feet after a recent move got an unexpected Christmas gift from a stranger in his new home.
Cory Grimes told KUSA he had $1,500 in cash when he walked into C&T Auto in Strasburg, Colorado, to pick up his van from mechanic Chris Oakley. Earlier this year, Grimes and his 7-year-old son, Jacob, moved from Iowa to live with Grimes' sister and brother-in-law in Colorado, the station reported. He is originally from the state.
Jacob has autism. Grimes has been struggling to support him off the wage he earns from his part-time dish washing job, according to KUSA.
He shared his story with Oakley.
"He's trying to make ends meet out of nothing," Oakley told KUSA. "And I just thought, you know what, after you tell me that, there's no use in charging somebody that doesn't have the money."
Grimes saved for five months to get enough money to pay for the repair bill after a neighbor sold him the mini-van for $400, according to KUSA.
"[I] went there with the cash in hand ready to go and they said no, they didn't want my money and Merry Christmas," he told the station. "Now I have money for Christmas. I can buy stuff for my son."
Grimes told KUSA he would also use the money to help find a new home for him and his son.
