MOUNT HEALTHY, Ohio — A Dunkin' Donuts employee received the surprise of a lifetime from one loyal customer: a fully furnished home.
Three years ago, Ebony Johnson met customer Suzanne Burke in a Dunkin' drive-thru. The two became close, talking every time Burke got her morning coffee.
“I go every morning,” Burke said. “Ebony has worked the drive-thru for three years and really has provided amazing customer service.”
Recently, though, Burke noticed her friend was not working her usual shift. She reached out to Johnson, learning the mother of three had fallen on hard times and had been evicted from her Mount Healthy home.
With assistance from different organizations, Burke was able to find Johnson's family a home — and furniture.
“I just wanted to see if I could help her just improve her life and the life for her kids," Burke said. "I wanted to make sure that they had stable housing, so that she could continue to provide the excellent service she does at Dunkin'."
Johnson saw her furnished home for the first time Friday.
“Thank y'all so much. Thank you so much for helping me," Johnson said.
Burke partnered with staging designer Jo Potvin of Design to Market to ensure the house was perfect for Johnson's family.
“[It's the] perfect time of the year to feel like you’re spreading joy,” Potvin said.
They also received assistance from New Life Furniture Bank, an organization that accepts household items and makes them available at no charge to those in need.
“It's as much a gift for us as it is for them, to be able to provide this for them,” said Dana Saxton, executive director.
Johnson’s children were just as excited as their mother.
“So nice, so nice,” her youngest son said while looking at his new room.
With a fully furnished home, Johnson said she and her kids can have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the rest of the holidays.
“I’m just so thankful we’re back in our home,” Johnson said. “The Lord really looked out for me because I kept praying and saying, 'Could I be at home before Christmas?'”
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