PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The first time we met Charlie and Cindy Silverthorn last month before Christmas, they were dressing - putting on extra layers to stay warm indoors. The heater in their Portsmouth mobile home had gone out.
They didn't have the money to get it fixed, Cindy told News 3 reporter Chelsea Donovan.
"If we could just get someone to help us with this heater... we don't know what to do."
Someone saw Chelsea's story and took action: The owners of Conyers Electrical Service and All Conyers Heating and Cooling. Two brothers own those businesses. One of them, Scott Conyers, says once he learned of the situation, he and his brother had to take action.
"You can tell when someone is really down and out... and I was fortunate enough, and we're fortunate enough to still be working, and I just felt like it was the right thing to do," Scott told us.
News 3 went back to check on the Silverthorns. Cindy says things are so much better.
"Yes, we're warm. I don't have a coat on. Oh, it was truly a blessing - it was a Christmas miracle!" Cindy said.
She says if not for the Conyers' donation, they wouldn't be having heat right now.
"Right, right... there's no way we could've done it."
For those reasons, News 3 presented Conyers Electrical Service and All Conyers Heating and Cooling with a People Taking Action award, along with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner, Southern Bank.
Scott was very thankful but told News 3 after the presentation, he didn't want to keep the gift card.
"So, what I would like to do - if it's alright with you - I mean... I definitely really appreciate it, but I would like to give this to them," he said.
And when we shared that news with Cindy, she at first refused the offer of generosity.
"Oh no, you keep that!" she exclaimed.
But Scott insisted, "Absolutely! I couldn't be more sure."
And Cindy, who was getting emotional, was nearly speechless and responded with a simple, "God bless you... thank you."
Scott says the generosity came from his upbringing - to help others when you have the power to act.
To nominate someone for a People Taking Action Award, click here.
