Woman raises thousands for favorite grocery store worker after learning he didn't have heat at home

An act of kindness can change someone's life most unexpectedly. This was proven when Stephanie Peach, a compassionate woman who works as a nurse in Monroe, Wisconsin, learned about the struggles of an elderly man who worked at the counters of a local grocery store. According to NBC15, a 65-year-old veteran employee at the store named Dennis Raiten would often have pleasant conversations with Peach whenever she came to shop.

During one of their conversations, Raiten disclosed that he has been going through a tough time lately. Raiten, who worked tirelessly at the self-checkout counter, did not have a heating system at his home. As a result, he could not take a hot shower during the colder months of the year. Peach was moved by his plight and decided to step in and help the gentleman by any means.

Peach described Raiten as someone she could have friendly conversations with. He was always helpful and friendly towards the customers at the grocery store, as reported by the outlet. "I just got to know him and one day, he told me that he hoped it stayed nice out because it's nice and warm out and he didn't have any heat," Peach told the news outlet. "I slowly gathered more information and then just kind of went from there."

Despite knowing Raiten for a short time, Peach still valued their friendship. "I just knew him like maybe two months ago, but now I feel like he's a friend and even could kind of consider him family at this point," she added. "It means a lot."

She decided to start a fundraiser for him, asking the community if they could contribute anything to help Raiten afford heating systems at his home. On the GoFundMe page managed by Peach, she detailed all the work that needs to be done at Raiten's home so he can live comfortably in colder months.

"I learned that Dennis' boiler system went out approximately 15 months ago, so he has not had hot water or heat since then. I'm hoping to get the funds to pay for him to have this replaced so he can have hot showers and heat again. No 65-year-old should have to take cold showers and not have heat," she wrote in the description of the fundraiser, where over $9000 has been raised so far.

"I'm getting used to some cold showers. I can heat that pan, put it over there, and I'm all set," Raiten revealed. The elderly gentleman was flabbergasted to see the number of people that came together to help him in dire times. "I guess she's one of the few people that leaves me speechless. So, she did that," he added.

Let's hope this serves as a reminder to everyone that one should be compassionate towards other people because we never know what an individual is going through. A little bit of kindness can bring a positive change in the lives of those who are struggling.