Donations help homeless Austin mother, son have a roof over their heads for Christmas
AUSTIN, Texas - A homeless mother and son will have a roof over their heads for Christmas, thanks to the generosity of others.
Aubrey Gill says his company usually brings in breakfast every Friday, and since it's close to the holiday, office attendance was low. The next day he was on a quest to bring a warm meal to the homeless, a quest that ended up being the start of something much more.
On a cold and rainy Saturday, Gill decided to take leftover breakfast tacos from work to give to those living under the bridge off of US 183 and Burnet Road.
Michael, a man there at the camp, started telling Gill how he ended up living there and how he's now caring for his disabled mother Nancy who also lives under the bridge with him. He mentioned how he was saving a breakfast taco for his mother, which prompted Gill to ask what he really needed.
Michael told Gill they needed clothing, blankets, transportation and employment, and how he'd like to have a motel room the night of Christmas.
Immediately compelled, Gill started a GoFundMe page for the mother and son, and within two hours, he exceeded his goal of $1,000 and was able to put the pair up in an extended stay hotel.
On Monday, Gill stopped by to tell them their stay had been extended, all the way through the beginning of the New Year too. The hotel even gave them the Christmas tree that was originally in the lobby to decorate their room for the holidays.
The community also donated clothes for the mother and son, and Michael went out Monday to apply for jobs. Gill says the owner of an Austin pizzeria has offered Michael a position when he's ready.
To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.