Kind-Hearted Mom of 9 Shelters 84-Year-Old Lady on Christmas Day to Save Her from Freezing

In the most unlikely circumstances, we can easily find ourselves in complete disarray, unable to decipher the situation. But when the harsh winter season unleashed its full force on the people of Buffalo, New York, two selfless people stepped forward to ease their woes.

Al Robinson and his wife, Vivian Gallon-Robinson, were loving parents to nine children. In addition to reveling in parental bliss, the couple served as pastors at the Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry, Gold Street, Buffalo, New York.

As servants of God, they believed in helping people as much as possible and never hesitated to spread kindness, love, and joy. Around Christmastime in 2022, the Robinsons looked forward to ringing in the festive season with their family, utterly oblivious to fate's unexpected plans for them.

The Terrific Snowstorm

On Friday, December 23, 2022, the inhabitants of Buffalo were sent into a frenzy when a bomb cyclone exploded into a harrowing blizzard. Consequently, people suffered immensely as electricity, water, and heating supplies were cut off indefinitely.

Taking it as a sign from above, Erich turned to his wife and told her they had been saved.

Changing Their Holiday Plans

While the snowstorm hit significant parts of the U.S., Erie County and Buffalo reportedly received more than four feet of snow, gusty winds, and total whiteout conditions. Before the winter storm, Al and Vivian had bought enough food to keep themselves and their nine children covered over the holidays.

Although their kids were grown up, the Robinsons always gathered to spend the festive season together as a family. And so, they had made massive preparations to welcome their children and have a lovely time relaxing, cooking, and having fun in their Buffalo home.

The couple was residing at their church's campus when the weather took an unexpected turn. Without second thoughts, Vivian turned to Facebook and shared a post, inviting people who were facing a shortage of living supplies, food, and shelter and were stranded in the wake of the bomb cyclone.

Rescuing People in the Wake of the Blizzard

According to the Robinsons, a friend with a snowmobile volunteered to pick people up during the Buffalo storm and took them to the church. The couple said they even broke the automatic locks on the church doors so anyone could enter and take shelter instead of staying in the cold.

With the church center stacked with mattresses, beds, baby formulas, meals, and all the amenities possible, the Robinsons helped more than 100 people survive the storm. Among those who were safely rescued were an elderly couple and their disabled son, who had been without power for over 48 hours.

A Ray of Light Amid the Darkness

Erich Pfeiffer, 87, and his wife, Kathy Pfeiffer, 84, were freezing in their Buffalo home, trying to make do with no electricity or heating supply. Their condition was so terrible that Erich couldn't help but harbor thoughts of death when Christmas came around. But then, he noticed something. Erich recalled:

"And [on] Christmas day, all of a sudden, the sun shined through the window."

Rescued & Received with Love, Care & Affection

Taking it as a sign from above, Erich turned to his wife and told her they had been saved. An hour later, the elderly couple and their son were rescued, thanks to a snowmobile that took them to the Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry.

Once there, Vivian bathed and washed Kathy's hair, fed her, soaked her feet in Epsom salt, and pampered her with tender love and care. She even took the older woman to the hospital for a check-up, gave her a warm blanket, and put her own hat on her head.

Kathy's Declaration of Love & Vivian's Humility

Touched by Vivian's warm-heartedness, Kathy thanked her and said, "Vivian, I love you." Thanks to Vivian's beautiful heart, the person on the snowmobile, and the church ministry, the Pfeiffers and their son were alive and well.

The phenomenally moving story was shared on Sweet Buffalo's Facebook page and also by Pastor Vivian, amassing an overwhelming response from netizens far and wide. "3 days with Kathy and Erich Pfeiffer and their son Kevin. I had her wrapped like a baby and put my hat on her," wrote Vivian.

The Elderly Couple's Sweetest Response

The elderly couple's daughter and another son thanked the Robinsons for taking care of their parents and saving their lives. A delighted Erich called Al and Vivian his "angels," while his wife expressed:

"It's hard to explain, but these are such wonderful people. I couldn't have done it without them. They helped me so much."

Pastor Al's Reaction & The Online Support

Although Al and Vivian went out of their way to save precious lives and help people, they remained humble and said God chose them for the noble cause. "People need to realize that if God has given them the ability to help someone else, it is incumbent upon them to help someone else," added Al.

Many people were touched by Pastor Al and Vivian's devotion and kind gesture for the elderly couple and hailed them with love, praise, and appreciation. Here are a few comments that people wrote:

"These pastors sacrificed all they had, including Christmas with their own family to take care of strangers. He carried people on his back and she bathed and washed the hair of the elderly and feeble. If that isn't the work of Jesus here on Earth, I don't know what is. This story brought me to tears it's so awe-inspiring."

— (@kari.schmitt.18) December 30, 2022

"God bless you for your faithfulness to serve God and others !! Such an encouragement !!"

— (@timothy.kendall.129) December 30, 2022

"That woman and her husband are truly doing God's work...not just during the storm, but everyday...I am familiar with them from their BBQ restaurant in LoveJoy...amazing food and everyone should support them."

— (@aaron.sypniewski.5) December 30, 2022

"Pastor Vivian is one of the best people in the whole world. An Angel of God- she is just amazing. Love this so much."

— (@rachel.hayes.9235) December 30, 2022

Undoubtedly, Pastor Al and Vivian are pure-hearted souls and will be rewarded abundantly for their good deeds. If this story warmed your hearts, please take a moment to share your feedback on Facebook.

Click here to read another story about a mom of three who brought an elderly stranger home on Christmas Eve after finding him freezing outside.