The young lady on the left, Stella, saved up her money until she had $700 to help out area homeless. She then donated the funds to Barnabas Vision which used the money to order more sleeping bags and a tent or two.
Today, she gave Taco and Russell a ten man tent. That was the equivalent of giving them a new home. Needless to say, Taco loved the gift. She also handed out about 20 sleeping bags today.
UPDATE: The below video clip of Taco (May 2018):
MAY 17, 2018:
I talked to Taco today…
I have received a lot of messages asking how YOU can help Taco, the man I did the short video on who has only 6 months to live due to cancer. You may recall, Taco (Tim Ortega) was headed to Kentucky to spend his remaining time with a girlfriend.
To answer your questions, Taco needs nothing. He has it all.
Amazing things have happened and he missed that Greyhound to Kentucky. But, his sister in Florida saw the video and later sought him. She visited Murfreesboro in the past looking for him about three years ago, but could never locate her little brother.
Long story short, Taco ended up in Florida with her and her husband (both doing great and retired from the Air Force). He was overjoyed.
Taco's sister had a surprise for him the next day of his visit. She took him to the beach that morning where other family members were waiting to be reunited!
The story gets better. Taco was then reunited with his other sister whom he has not seen in about 20 years. She lives in - - I believe Oklahoma. Regardless of the state he is there and he is happy.
Taco told me, “Scott, I have my own bedroom and all the food I could ever need.” I laughed and told him how exciting that was. He then stated, “But Scott, it gets better. She woke me up the other night at 9:30 and asked me to watch TV with her. She then asked if I wanted McDonalds. She picked up the phone and I told her, ‘You can’t order McDonalds, they don’t deliver!’” I could tell Taco started to cry as he explained, “Next thing I know her husband comes in with McDonalds and there was this old man behind him – I thought, who is that?”
The pause was long and I knew the story was going to get even better. “Scott, it was my dad! He’s sitting here with me right now!”
Looking back, Taco thought he was alone in the world. A couple of years after his mother died he secluded himself. Eventually, he became homeless and alcohol took him away for a very long time. He thought his father had died 20-years ago. But, he didn’t. Taco’s father was alive and well.
Taco told me, “Brother, I think I am going to retire here if you know what I mean.”
A man who thought he was all alone is now surrounded by family as he slowly, but happily passes away. His next few months will likely be the very best. Ever.
“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.” ― Shannon L. Alder