Ad placed on Craigslist inspires Christmas giving

A Raleigh man needed help furnishing an apartment for his elderly mother. He placed an ad on Craigslist and people came, bearing furniture.

Posted 3:57 a.m. Dec 25, 2008 — Updated 9:11 p.m. Mar 9, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. — This holiday season, families aren't just writing letters to Santa – many of them are placing their wish lists online. The postings are often appearing on the classified Web site Craigslist.

Meagan Swanson read about these posting on WRAL.com. On Craigslist, some requests were for children's clothing, toys, even rent money. But for Swanson, a Raleigh ad stood out. It was from a man needing help to furnish an apartment for his elderly mother.

“I find it intrinsically rewarding to help others, so this is our Christmas gift to us,” Swanson said.

Rowland Green had placed the ad for his 84-year-old mother.

“The rate, my mother's room rate went up to $50,000 a year at her assisted living facility,” Roland Green said.

Green said he couldn't afford that rate any longer, but he made a promise to his deceased father that he would always take care of his mother. So he decided on an apartment and with no money to furnish it, placed an ad on Craigslist.

“Being a teacher, I know the heart is big out there,” Roland Green said.

Swanson saw the ad and within 24 hours, she and her fellow co-workers at Filter Fresh filled an entire van with furniture from their homes and office.

“We brought the office couch because a lot of us aren't usually there a lot. So we decided to bring it,” Swanson said.

“I was extremely touched. Just the outpouring of help was moving to me,” wife Joanne Green said.

Roland Green says his mother is feeling blessed by the gesture.

The family plans to move her into the new apartment, near their home, the first part of next month. A queen-size bed is still needed to make the move-in complete. If you would like to help, call 919-239-4697.

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