Ellen Hands $50,000 To Woman Who Put Homeless People In A Hotel During Polar Vortex

Feb 18, 2019 by apost team

A wave of bitterly cold weather gripped the nation over the last few weeks, leaving very few people untouched by Mother Nature's wrath.

Although most people were fortunate enough to have a warm place to retreat to inside, the severe weather was a big danger for the country's homeless population.

For some areas of the nation, remaining outside during the cold snap was an instant death sentence.

Fortunately, a generous woman in Chicago named Candice Payne recognized the danger that the weather would pose to the city's homeless community and set out to do something about it.

apost.com

The spa owner and realtor told her employees to not bother coming to work on January 29 when the temperatures plummeted to 23 degrees below zero. But rather than just stay home and relax, Payne wanted to help out others who needed it.

Payne worked with her husband and friends to rent 30 hotel rooms for the homeless people who needed a warm place to stay, according to Fox.

As word got out about Payne's endeavors, donations started pouring in. Payne soon had enough resources to help 120 people. To help organize the efforts, Payne set up a GoFundMe to continue the momentum.

Payne also launched a website to coordinate efforts.

Dubbed "Action for a Cause," the goal is to convert shipping containers and multi-unit buildings into places for the homeless people to hunker down during inclement weather.

After raising approximately $21,000 for the cause, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres got word of Payne's campaign and invited her to appear on her popular daytime program.

While on the show, Payne was shocked to find out that retail giant Walmart had donated an additional $50,000 to her fundraising campaign.

This heartwarming video of Payne appearing on the Ellen show will give you some faith in the good of humankind. After you have watched this touching segment, be sure to spread the love to everyone that you know.