May 5, 2009 6:29 pm US/Central
Family Gets New Roof To Thank Sailor For Service
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Jeff and Rianne Toll's roof was fixed while Jeff serves in Iraq. Operation Homefront and the VFW volunteered to help the family out of gratitude for Jeff's service to the nation.
CBS
A Park Forest family has a new roof over their heads thanks in part to the kindness of strangers.
As CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, it's a gift from two organizations thanking a sailor for his service to his country.
From the street, it may just look like a simple roof repair, but to Rianne Toll it's an answer to a prayer.
"I'm just truly, truly blessed," she said.
Toll says the roof has been leaking since February, but with her husband, sailor Jeff, fighting in the war in Iraq and four children to take care of, she just couldn't afford to fix it.
That's where Operation Homefront and the Veterans of Foreign Wars came in. The organizations paid $3,500 for a new roof, and also donated new doors to replace two that were damaged in a storm.
"It's a very small token of our thanks and appreciation to what the families have to do. These people sacrifice so much," said Glenda Cain of Operation Homefront-Illinois.
Toll says she never imagined strangers could be so kind.
"You know, people have good hearts, and I try to teach my kids that every day," Toll said. "It's just amazing to me, because you don't see this. You don't see this."
Robert McLeod of the 16th District VFW says when he asked the VFW to help, he was just keeping a promise he made to Jeff Toll to watch over his family while he was deployed.
"To him, it was a great relief because I've talked to her a little bit, and he's like 'great someone's home taking care of my family.'" McLeod said.
Toll says one of the best things about the new roof is that her husband won't have to worry about fixing it when he comes home in September. Instead, he can spend the 28 days he has just enjoying his family.
"He can enjoy the kids, and that's what I want the most," Toll said. "I want him to focus on them and that's it because they miss him terribly, and it's very hard on them."
Those responsible for the new roof say knowing Jeff Toll will have a little more time with his family makes their $3,500 gift priceless.
Click here to learn more about Operation Homefront and how you can help support our troops and their families.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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