The Salvation Army of Lakeland and it’s Community of Hope has been providing transitional housing for homeless families. On Thursday, a Tampa couple gave some deserving kids an early Christmas surprise at the facility.
Vicki Parisella’s grandchildren were two of the twenty children who received toys today.
"Its overwhelming sometimes, because you want to give them everything but you cant,” said Parisella. “I wanted this to be their first good Christmas. Unfortunately, we ran into some circumstances and we’re here now.”
Well today, things got just a little bit easier thanks to the Brodsky family and their staff from Milana Custom Homes.
"At the end of the day, if you could help another human being. Its the most gratifying thing you could possibly have. It really is touching,” said Brandon Lanci of Milana Custom Homes.
The Brodsky’s say through their Tampa-based family business, they have been blessed. They wanted to do the same for others. They even brought the company’s namesake along, three-year-old Milana. Milana was even celebrating her third birthday. She spent it handing toys out to children in need.
"I want her to grow up caring about our community and giving back. And just being a good person," said Laura Brodsky.
It’s gestures like these from the community that are so important for the Salvation Army.
"We couldn't do it without them," said Maj. Barry Corbitt of Salvation Army. "Without the community, the salvation army is dead in the water.”
Parisella says the kindness is something she and her grandchildren will never forget.
"Seeing the kids getting the gifts and presents and everything. I started to cry, because I couldn’t have done what you guys have done here. Helping the kids. [The Brodsky’s] are amazing for doing this for these kids.”
