Brighten Your Day

She Stopped For Snacks - And Ended Up Changing A Life

July 29, 2025

When Alyssa Crumley pulled into a Shell gas station in Dawsonville, Georgia, she had no idea she was about to step into someone else’s world of heartbreak.

Sitting outside was a man who looked like he’d been carrying the weight of the world for far too long. Something tugged at her heart.

Instead of just driving away, Alyssa returned with water and snacks—and a simple question: “Can I pray with you?”

He said yes.

Alyssa praying with a homeless man | Credit: @kaitlynrossjournalist

That moment didn’t end at the gas station.

When Alyssa got home, moved to tears, her family rallied around her. Together, they assembled a care package with essentials: a blanket, pillow, snacks, and a devotional.

They went back to find him. His name is Johnny.

Alyssa transports Johnny | @dayna.crumley

Johnny, believed to be in his 60s or 70s, has been homeless for over two decades. He struggles to walk and has been sitting outside that gas station for more than a year, according to the store clerk. Life hasn’t been kind to him—addiction, loneliness, and years of hardship have taken their toll.

But Alyssa and her neighbors chose not to look away. Using their own money, they bought Johnny clothes, food, hygiene items, and paid for motel stays so he could have a safe place to rest.

Once he was settled in, Johnny made a small, touching request: “Can you turn on the cowboy show?”

He meant Gunsmoke.

Johnny (with Gunsmoke in the backgroud)| @dayna.crumley

Almost a week has passed, and Johnny is now several days sober—on his own strength.

Alyssa has been reaching out to agencies for help, but Johnny keeps hitting barriers—too old, too sick, or not sober long enough. Still, she’s not giving up. She’s hoping someone, somewhere, knows of an organization that can help an older adult battling homelessness and addiction.

Because Alyssa didn’t just notice Johnny—she stopped. She listened. She cared. And now she’s doing everything she can to give him a chance at something better.

Want to help? Visit GoFundMe.