Good Samaritan Welcomes Stranger Into Home

It was the night of a record-breaking snow storm that County Executive Director Jimmy Gantt made the decision to invite a stranger with military training into his home.

“He was just a young kid trying to get home from school for Christmas,” said Gantt. “We couldn’t leave him stranded.”

The Nor’easter that swept across the East Coast last month dropping several feet of snow in some areas trapped Cadet Chris Nimmo, a student at Virginia Tech University, on a roadway in Farmville, Va., en route to his home in Petersburg, Va.

“My wife and I went out to pick up our daughter and while we were driving we saw this disabled vehicle on the side of the road,” said Gantt. “My wife asked if I was going to stop and help, so I pulled to the side of the road to see if the young man needed any help.”

Nimmo, explained that his wipers had stopped working and with the blowing snow it was impossible to drive. He was outside of his vehicle trying to get the wipers to operate again so he could continue his trek home.

With power outages blanketing the area and emergency personnel inundated with phone calls, Gantt determined that getting to Petersburg would be nearly impossible for the cadet.

“My home was only a few miles away so I told him he was more than welcome to stay in our guest room or I could take him to a hotel and pick him up in the morning,” said Gantt. “He was a little hesitant at first but realizing his options were pretty limited, he decided to call his parents and talk it over with them.”

The cadet’s father didn’t like the idea of his son being stranded and staying with a stranger.

“I could fully understand why he was leery, I have two daughters and would be concerned if a stranger offered to put them up in his house,” Gantt said. “So his father said he would drive to Farmville and pick up his son.”

Fifteen minutes later his father called back and said the road conditions would not allow him to get to Farmville until morning.

“My wife and I offered to take the young man home with us again, but they were still hesitant,” said Gantt. “My wife then spoke with Nimmo’s mother and after several minutes they felt comfortable enough to let him spend the night in our guest room.”

In the morning, Nimmo’s father picked him up from the Gantt’s home.

“He was a nice young man and his father was very appreciative. I think we took good care of him,” said Gantt, who prepared full course breakfast for Nimmo and his father. “It’s always nice to be in a position to help someone.”

On his way back to Virginia Tech this month, Nimmo stopped by the Gantt’s home to show his appreciation. “He left a very nice card in our door thanking us for helping him that night,” said Gantt.