She Gives Mattress To Man Who Lost Everything In Irma. What He Says Next Leaves Her In Tears

The recent, destructive hurricanes Harvey and Irma have dealt a heavy blow to those in the affected areas but they have also uncovered the best of the human heart. We’ve come across countless stories of sacrifice and heroism, and this story is no different.

Julio Melendez was living in the Florida Keys and lost everything he owned, except his truck, after hurricane Irma swept through the state. Julio has since been living out of his truck. He is based out of Castaway Trailer Park in Marathon, Florida and though he’s lost everything, he has been hard at work.

Julio has spent his days gathering supplies and delivering them to those hit hard by the storm.

A member of Friends For Global Change, Vane Lozano, noticed him and gave him a gift– an air mattress that is surely more comfortable a bed than his truck. Julio had other ideas, though.

Julio decided that instead of keeping the mattress, he would donate it to someone who was in greater need.

“I am giving this air mattress to someone else in need,” Melendez said. “There are so many people that don’t have transportation and they can’t come to get water so I come to get them what they need. I am delivering what I can to them and I sleep in my car. God Bless everyone.” He’s been delivering ice and water, and more, to fellow Floridians displaced by the storm.

The members of Friends For Global Change kept tabs on Julio and watched him work hard to help others, day after day, but knowing he himself had lost everything hurt their hearts. So they did something about it.

A GoFundMe page was created on Julio Melendez’s behalf.

Here’s Julio’s GoFundMe story: “The team at Friends For Global Change met Julio Melendez in Marathon, Florida while conducting relief efforts for Hurricane Irma. Julio lives out of his truck and was threatened to be fired by his boss because he took time off of work to distribute ice, water and food on his time.

Julio is a landscaper who is from Guatemala. He does not have much to his name, but he is committed to helping those who have even less than him.

We are raising funds to purchase a new mobile home for Julio.”

The page has since raised $34,687 out of its $50,000 goal in just 14 days!

This silent hero and his humble self-sacrifice has changed lives in his community and drawn much needed attention to those who might not have gotten aid so quickly.