Some South Jersey Police officers teamed up with a group of contractors to perform a profound act of kindness; a service above and beyond the call of duty.
For Holly McDonnell, times have been tough, the single mom was bracing for the loss of her small home near Atco, New Jersey.
"Yes, losing our house that we were in," said Holly McDonnell.
In fact when Police Sergeant Joe McNally came to her door, Holly thought the worst.
"She thought we were there to evict her. She answers the door, I said can we speak to you a minute? She said, 'Oh no'," said Sergeant Joe McNally.
But it wasn't an eviction notification. It was an offer for help from the Waterford Township Police Association.
Saturday, a small army of contractors swarmed over what is becoming the McDonnell's new home.
Holly McDonnell, who just finished her nursing degree, worked out a lease purchase of the larger house. But it needed modifications, as 10 year old son Patrick and 17 year old daughter Taylor are in wheelchairs.
Wednesday, Waterford Police surprised Holly, telling her the contractors had volunteered to do the modifications like an accessible shower.
"We all pitch in everybody buys what we need to by, it's really not that big a deal," said Kevin Ulrich, Ulrich Construction.
Outside crews made the final adjustments to this pre-fabricated wheel chair ramp.
"The timing of this is coincided with another family whose loved one passed away, and they said can you take back the ramp and find a good home for it," explained Domenic Demenna from Amramp.
That he did. The value of the work inside and out would run about $8,000. It will cost the McDonnell's nothing.
The family is overwhelmed by everyone's kindness.
"It is very, very nice of them to help us at this time of need," said Patrick McDonnell.
"It's very touching, and my kids get to have a home," said mom Holly McDonnell.
