Melissa Dombrowski’s post on Bancroft Buy and Sell No Rules simply says:
Let’s Help Each Other.
A caption goes on to ask people to name what they need but can’t afford, adding that there should be no requests for money.
“Everyone check to see what others say. Maybe you have it and don’t need it or have a connection to get it…never know how we can help each other.”
Since it was posted in November, over 350 comments have been shared to the post with dozens and dozens of people finding the things they need including everything from leaf blowers to medical pillows to clothing.
Dombrowski says she was inspired to start the post after seeing a similar one and knowing first-hand how tough times can be.
“My son and I were in a car accident last October. Dealing with the insurance, trying to get the settlement money was very tight . So I figured this year, this is a great idea for anybody that was in our shoes last year. We’re really glad that the communities helping each other through.”
Dombrowski says she was surprised by the response, saying the post has ‘spread like wildfire’.
“I was shocked. I didn’t expect it. And people are still commenting on stuff that they need and stuff that people are willing to part with to help.”
Dombrowski says that one of the most needed items on the post are children’s clothes, but everything from aquariums to treadmills to puzzles and even a turkey are being asked for and offered.
MooseFM spoke with Shaunia from Bancroft who says that she’ll be driving much safer now, after she shared on the comment thread something she badly needed but felt was ‘too big of an ask’.
“I thought, you know, I really need winter tires. It took me forever just to afford my car, and I really didn’t have the funds for the winter tires. I was kind of afraid to ask, but I put it out there anyways and, honestly, it wasn’t long when I went through my notifications and I saw that someone had commented.”
Not long after, local couple Rick and Deb Cullen ended up passing on winter tires to Shaunia.
She says she still can’t believe how fortunate she is.
“I was on the phone telling my mother, telling my son I might actually get four winter tires for my car…like I can’t believe this post you know? And when it actually came through I still almost can’t believe my good fortune.”
Shaunia says she would love to be able to pass the kindness along.
“I continue to look on that post to see if there’s anything there that maybe I have or we have that we could also help out with.”
She added that she will never forget the name Melissa Dombrowski, the person who started the kindhearted thread.
“It genuinely touched me what she did, and reading all the comments on the post. It was wonderful”.
The post can be seen here: Bancroft Buy & Sell (No Rules) | Facebook.
