Acts of Kindness
After school custodian’s home burns down students help build her a new one
When the beloved custodian's new home was revealed to her, there was no containing her emotions.
Alissa Gaskell
08.01.22

Looking back on your elementary and high school years will remind you of the wonderful people you’ve met along the way – classmates, excellent teachers, friendly cafeteria personnel, gentle and helpful custodians, you name it. You’ll recall all the instances where a helping hand was there and when a kind smile was offered when you felt down.

Those are the memories that made the entire experience better.

And when you remember, you can’t help but wonder where they are now and how they’re doing.

Pexels - Max Fischer
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Pexels - Max Fischer

Not everyone remembers to stay in touch or pay a visit, but the ones that do sure know how to extend their gratitude. That’s what happens when kind people touch other people’s lives – they unknowingly inspire others to pay it forward, sometimes in the grandest, most unexpected ways.

Pexels - Antoni Shkraba
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Pexels - Antoni Shkraba

That’s how impactful kindness is. They go about their daily routine, not knowing how many lives they’ve touched or how wonderful an impression they made.

This is how Brenda Hurst is. She’s the head custodian at Boiling Springs High School, and the students and staff love her.

YouTube Screenshot - GoUpstate / Spartanburg Herald-Journal
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YouTube Screenshot - GoUpstate / Spartanburg Herald-Journal

When Alexis Ork, the student body president, discovered that Brenda’s family home was destroyed in a fire, she made it her mission to help the head custodian. She got the student council involved, as well as Carpenters for Christ. Ork told WYFF News 4,

“She changed my life, and I’m honored that I was part of changing hers for the better.”

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4

It took a year, but a vast crowd gathered to watch the reveal when the big day finally came. A patrol car escorted Brenda down the street of her former house. A big, blue bus was parked in front of the new home, and Brenda had a blindfold on. When she finally removed the blindfold, she eagerly waited for the bus to pull away.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4

Once she saw the new house, her knees buckled, and she couldn’t help but scream.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4

Not only was the house gorgeous, but it was also fully furnished!

With tears in her eyes, Brenda walked through the front door to see everything for herself. The overjoyed head custodian shared,

“It’s a blessing. It’s an honor. I always say, ‘I’m overwhelmed.’ I still say, ‘God is good.’ No matter what you go through, keep your faith and trust in Him, and He’ll work it out for you.”

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4

Carpenters for Christ member Mike Ravan told her,

“The Lord allowed us to have it fully furnished.”

Another highlight that made Brenda scream excitedly was her brand-new walk-in closet. It was huge and crafted so wonderfully that she couldn’t help but dance around inside a little. Members of the student council and Carpenters for Christ intentionally picked red and black furniture to match the school colors. There was even a stone bulldog mascot in the front yard.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4

Now that her new home was all set, Brenda could begin moving in.

Watch the amazing reveal and Brenda’s priceless reaction in the two videos below!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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