By Mike Hazlip—
It isn’t unusual to see community outreach events by the City of Citrus Heights or others during the Christmas season, but many more acts of kindness often go unannounced.
Recently, Annette Asplund was reading her news feed on social media when she saw a question asking, “What would you need but cannot afford?” The 51-year-old Citrus Heights resident, who works part-time at minimum wage, replied with a simple comment: “firewood.” She said her PG&E rates have increased in recent years, straining her monthly budget, so the firewood would provide heating for her home.
Asplund said a woman replied and promised to bring her firewood. That woman happened to be Nanette Miller, whose husband, Steve, serves on the City Council and was recently appointed mayor of Citrus Heights.
“She had said I have some wood myself that I can give you out of my pile,” Asplund said. “I never even knew her husband was the mayor of Citrus Heights.”
When the Millers showed up to her home last week with officers from Citrus Heights police to unload the firewood, Asplund said she was overcome with emotion.
“I cried. I couldn’t believe that the Police Department actually came to unload,” she said.
As of Thursday morning, the small act of kindness can’t be found among the community outreach announcements by the Citrus Heights police. The City of Citrus Heights didn’t post any photographs either, nor did Steve or Nanette Miller.
The charitable deed likely wouldn’t have been known, had it not been for Asplund taking to social media to express her gratitude, calling the act of kindness “A blessing in disguise. God is good all the time.”
“I just wanted to share a touching story to make everyone smile like it did me,” she wrote. In response, Citrus Heights Police Chief Ronald Lawrence said he was proud of police staff reaching out to the community. For Nanette Miller, just knowing she helped someone in the community was enough.
“I saw a need and am grateful we could help,” she said in a thank you note posted this week.
Asplund said the firewood is enough to last her a week-and-a-half or so. Other residents who saw her post have since offered to help in delivering more firewood.
