Life is full of surprises, and sometimes it throws challenges our way that we never expected. This was the case for Ella Setzler, a 72-year-old widow, who found herself caring for six of her great-grandchildren.
It was a tough situation, but Ella was fortunate to have close friends who always looked out for her. One such friend, Alice, was there when Ella’s burdens became too much to bear, setting the stage for a Christmas miracle.
Despite the difficulty, Ella had taken in all six of her great-grandchildren and didn’t regret it for a moment. “They are my everything,” she said, expressing her deep love for them. However, raising them came with its own set of obstacles, especially when it came to finances.
Ella’s income was stretched thin, barely covering rent, utilities, car payments, and childcare costs. On top of that, her home had a serious water leak that would cost $900 to fix—money she simply didn’t have.
Thankfully, Alice, who Ella often described as her real-life “Alice from Wonderland,” saw how much her friend was struggling. Though Alice couldn’t fix all of Ella’s problems, she knew who could. She reached out to FOX5’s Surprise Squad, a group dedicated to helping those in need.
Once the request was approved, the Surprise Squad stepped in, and what followed was nothing short of heartwarming.
Ella was moved to tears when she realized what was happening. With her dear friend Alice by her side, she embraced the generosity of strangers. Teams from Southern Nevada and Aqua Plumbing repaired her water leak free of charge, leaving Ella in a flood of emotions.
But that wasn’t all—the squad wanted to give Ella more than financial relief. Knowing the strain she was under, they sent a limousine to whisk her and Alice away for a relaxing spa day.
Meanwhile, the squad transformed Ella’s home into a Christmas wonderland. They cleaned the house from top to bottom, added new furniture, and even set up a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Each of her grandchildren received Christmas gifts and $500 gift cards. The most jaw-dropping surprise, however, came when United Nissan offered to cover Ella’s rent for an entire year.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ella said, “The Lord has answered my prayers! Trust Him, and He will provide.” Her tears reflected both relief and joy.
This act of kindness didn’t just change Ella’s life but also left a lasting impression on her great-grandchildren. “It’s not about the presents,” one of them said, “It’s about family and love.”
Watch the heartwarming moment unfold in the video below, and don’t forget to share this story with others to spread some holiday cheer.