Michael Esmond, a business owner from Florida, knows all too well what it feels like not to be able to spend the most wonderful time of the year in a cozy place with a nice family dinner and lots of lights on. Why? Because during the roughest times of his life some 30 years ago when he struggled to make a living, he ended up celebrating one Christmas with his three daughters in a cold house without any electricity.
But now that he’s wealthy and able to help others he is making sure no other family from his neighborhood experiences such a cold Christmas this year. His generosity goes a long way and travels to 36 families of the Gulf Breeze community who are facing being left without electricity for the holidays. Michael paid their bills and they will now be able to celebrate Christmas the right way.
The season of giving is here. Michael Esmond paid off 36 families’ utility bills. He found out who was at risk of having their power turned off. He spent $4,600 making their holidays a little less stressful.
Instead of warnings, the families received these cards. @weartv pic.twitter.com/7C3YGcy3oG
— Danielle Apolinar (@DanielleApoNews) 17 December 2019
Speaking to CNN, Esmond said how his generous deed cost him around $5,000. He also said he’s happy to be able to help someone in need as Christmas is all about doing and giving.
Esmond added: “I actually lived that back in the 1980s. I experienced the same thing, having trouble paying bills. My gas was shut off, and we had no heating for the whole winter.”
“It was one of the coldest winters in Florida; temperature got down to the single digits.”
“That was definitely in my mind when I received the bill this year.”
People loved what he did and everyone was saying how special this man truly is.
Michael Esmond hasn’t forgotten what it was like having his gas shut off, with no heat for the winter, so the Florida business owner found out who in his community was at risk of having utilities disconnected and paid 36 families’ bills ahead of Christmas https://t.co/FPK7x1l1iM
— CNN (@CNN) 18 December 2019
“I got a great feedback on my Facebook page and business phone. People were texting me and calling me to thank me for what I had done,” he added.
“It made me cry. It made me cry,” Joanne Oliver, Gulf Breeze’s utility billing supervisor, told CNN affiliate WEAR . “For someone like him, a veteran to come in and do some grand gesture. It was heartfelt for me.”
The note that the members of those 36 families received is so touching that it melted our hearts. Imagine the joy on their faces after they were greeted with these kind words: “It is our honor and privilege to inform you that your past due utility bill has been paid by Gulf Breeze Pools & Spas. You can rest easier this holiday season knowing you have one less bill to pay. On behalf of Gulf Breeze Pools & Spas, we here at the City of Gulf Breeze would like to wish you and your family a happy holiday season.“