Strangers Learn Great-Grandmother Struggles To Raise 6 Children And Appear With Every Present She Needs

Nov 29, 2021

Life can be difficult at times, but giving up isn't an option, especially for caregivers. One 72-year-old woman, Ella Setzler from Las Vegas, Nevada, knew this. Not only was she a caregiver of six children, but the kids were also her own great-grandchildren. Setzler cooked for them, cleaned for them and made sure to give them stability in life so that they could go on to lead positive lives.

But that's a lot of work for anybody, especially a septuagenarian. What's more, Setzler is a military widow, and unfortunately, her own income wasn't enough to take care of all the expenses of raising six kids. On top of her usual rent, car, utilities and childcare bills, Setzler's home also had a water leak that would cost $900 to get fixed. Tragically, she didn't have the means to keep up with all the costs despite giving it her all to provide for her great-grandkids.

That's when Setzler's best friend Alice stepped in. Alice would help her friend when she could, but things became too much, so she wrote to FOX5's Surprise Squad and asked them to help. She told them, "She’s hurting and I’m hurting ‘cos I can’t help her."

Days before Christmas in 2018, the Surprise Squad arrived at Setzler's home, and immediately, she broke down in tears. She knew that Alice was the friend who must have written in, and when she showed up as well, the best friends shared an emotional hug. The Surprise Squad came with a whole host of gifts for Setzler that would help her and her family get back on their feet.

After the Surprise Squad arrived at Setzler's house, she talked a little about her situation; however, she didn't wish to go into too much detail. She said:

"They mean so much to me. They're my heart. I had to rescue them."

Then the FOX5 team announced they had a few things in store for Setzler and her family. Firstly, the company Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada and Aqua Plumbing decided to fix the house's water issue for free. Furthermore, the squad came in and decorated the house. Not only did they do a deep clean first, but they also brought in new items of furniture and put up a Christmas tree. They then loaded up presents underneath the tree for all of Ella's children and gave $500 gift cards to each kid.

The squad also knows the importance of self-care, so they treated Setzler to a spa day to make sure she felt pampered. A limousine showed up and whisked her away while the team got to work on the house.

But the greatest gift of all? A full year of the rent was paid for by United Nissan. Setzler was so overcome with emotion that she exclaimed through happy tears:

“The Lord has heard my prayers! Trust in the Lord and He’ll make a way for you! He made a way for me."

But despite all of the generous gifts, Setzler has taught her children that material goods aren't everything. One of her great-granddaughters told FOX5:

"It’s not about presents. It’s about loving your family."

Setzler's story has struck a chord with readers and viewers from around the world.

"I cried during the entire video just witnessing the LORD'S goodness through the love of a friend. Ms. Alice is so precious. And them babies at the end, broke me down. Especially when baby girl said it's not about the presents, but to love GOD, and HE love you back and family. This video is the epitome of what true love looks like! Thank you for sharing!" Karen McGee commented on YouTube.

"The crazy thing is, she probably STILL would've tried to get something for their christmas even if this didn't happen. She would've probably gone to the dollar store and stretched whatever she could to get them SOMETHING. Bless her ❤❤❤," another viewer added.

Finally, someone also thanked Alice for letting FOX5 know about Ella's story.

"Can we just take a moment to appreciate Miss Alice who recognised Miss Ella’s struggle and called Fox👏🏾 We wouldn't have know about this story otherwise🥺," the commenter wrote.

What an absolutely heartwarming tale! For everything she has done for her great-grandchildren, Setzler greatly deserved this act of kindness. And it's also proven that Alice is truly one of her best friends who cared so much about her.

According to FOX5's website, the local news outlet began its Surprise Squad in 2013 after United Nissan and America First Credit Union sponsored the station. Although the outlet receives "hundreds of nominations each week," they encourage Las Vegas locals to contact the surprise squad through their website.

What do you think about this wonderful surprise for Ella Setzler and her family? Do you know of anyone else who would deserve to be treated like this too? Pass this on to those you know to spread this moving story.