In 2020, electrician John Kinney arrived at 72-year-old Gloria Scott's home in Woburn, Massachusetts, for what seemed like a simple job : fixing a broken light.
But once inside, he realized the light was the least of her problems.
Gloria lived alone in a badly deteriorating house. There were serious electrical and plumbing issues, damaged ceilings, broken windows and problems with running water. Raccoons had even been getting inside. She simply couldn't afford the repairs her home desperately needed.
John completed the electrical job, went home... and couldn't stop thinking about her.
So he came back.
He began repairing Gloria's house without charging her, then reached out to friends and people in the community for help. What happened next was extraordinary.
Electricians, plumbers, carpenters and complete strangers showed up. Others donated materials, food and supplies. Together, they repaired the plumbing and electrical systems, fixed walls and ceilings, replaced windows and worked on the roof, porch and backyard.
The group became known as “Gloria's Gladiators.”
It all started with one broken light and one electrician who decided that walking away wasn't an option.
But once inside, he realized the light was the least of her problems.
Gloria lived alone in a badly deteriorating house. There were serious electrical and plumbing issues, damaged ceilings, broken windows and problems with running water. Raccoons had even been getting inside. She simply couldn't afford the repairs her home desperately needed.
John completed the electrical job, went home... and couldn't stop thinking about her.
So he came back.
He began repairing Gloria's house without charging her, then reached out to friends and people in the community for help. What happened next was extraordinary.
Electricians, plumbers, carpenters and complete strangers showed up. Others donated materials, food and supplies. Together, they repaired the plumbing and electrical systems, fixed walls and ceilings, replaced windows and worked on the roof, porch and backyard.
The group became known as “Gloria's Gladiators.”
It all started with one broken light and one electrician who decided that walking away wasn't an option.