CARLSBAD, Calif. — 'Tis the season for 'Random Acts of Helpfulness'. In this Zevely Zone, I teamed up with the San Diego Honda Dealers to spread some holiday cheer to a family in Carlsbad.
Sometimes the families who are hurting the most never ask for help which made this holiday surprise extra special.
I found the blue Helpful Honda minivan was stuffed with wrapped presents and headed to the home of Florentino Guzman.
"It's very difficult for me now," said Florentino. In August, he stepped on a nail at his construction job. Florentino is diabetic and when he soaked in feet in hot water, he couldn't feel them burning.
"The infection go very, very deep," said Florentino. Doctors were forced make a double amputation. Florentino lost both of his feet.
"Now it's very difficult because all of the time I am working and my life changed in one second," said the father of two. His wife, Hortensia, lost her longtime flower shop when developers bought the land underneath her.
"I checked different places, it's hard to find a place," said Hortensia. They now sell flowers in front of their home as the family's only income. "I sell my flowers but it's not enough money," said Hortensia.
"I believe my mom bought flowers from her 20 or 30 years ago," said neighbor Elicia Young.
She and her husband, Mike Bates, and another caring neighbor, Maureen Schupert, launched a GoFundMe page to help the family.
"We all need help at some point in our lives," said Mike. Elicia added, "Just wanted to help a neighbor. She is just a lovely person."
Maureen also told me, "At the hospital he never felt sorry for himself, he never cried the nurses could not believe it."
Along with raising donations, we wanted to raise their spirits as well. I usually don't wear red pants, a Christmas sweater and Santa hat to my stories but we had a special surprise for Florentino and Hortensia, and they had no clue what was coming.
"No. No," they both said. That's when we heard a van horn blowing out front of their home. The Helpful Honda Elves planned the surprise for weeks. Carly Harris with the San Diego Honda Dealers delivered the presents along with Josh and Gina with the good news.
"We heard about your story, and I know it's been a rough holiday for you, and we wanted to bring you a Random Act of Helpfulness," said Carly. Hortensia said, "Oh my god, are you sure?" Carly responded, "Yes, we are sure."
Their home was suddenly filled with presents. "Surprise, surprise for me, I never," said Florentino who was left speechless. The huge pile of presents took 45 minutes to open. "Thank you, Honda, ha, ha," laughed Hortensia celebrating an early Christmas that included gear from their favorite team. "San Diego Padres!" yelled Hortensia.
The Honda Helpers also bought gifts for of their both sons, Fernando and Eddy. "Whoa that's crazy. That's some Beats," said Eddy after opening a pair of Beats headphones and Padre gear. Even the family pet was spoiled with gifts. "For my dog, Rocky!" said Hortensia.
Along with a new tablet, Florentino was given parallel bars to help him walk again and for fun he received a new music keyboard. The final stocking stuffer? "Over 600 dollars in gift cards for things you may need," said Carly.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house when Florentino said, "I want to say thank you Honda. Thank you everybody. Thank you, San Diego. Thank you for helping me. I appreciate it." Neighbors have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Florentino's prosthetics and medical bills. If you'd like to make a donation, click here.