WHEN JOSH CYGANIK overheard two teenagers saying that a house they were walking by should be burned down, he took exception.
Not because he owns the house and not because he’s particularly close to the owners, but because the remark seemed to hurt 75-year-old Leonard Bullock, who was sitting on his porch in Pendleton, Oregon.
Cyganik had waved to Bullock for the last four years, meeting his workmates near the house to start their day inspecting tracks for Union Pacific.
So, when he heard two teenagers saying the house, which was in need of a lick of paint, should be burned down, he decided to act.
“I don’t think any elderly person should have to endure what I heard from those two kids’ mouths. I kind of stewed about it for a couple days before I decided to do something.”
Cyganik got in contact with his workmates and a friend who owns a lumber business and then asked Bullock could they paint his house.
“He was ecstatic,” Cyganik told his employer’s website.
A Facebook post calling for volunteers attracted 6,000 shares and scores of people showed up throughout the day to help and donate goods.
“It was just a good vibe! Everybody was happy and excited.
We received a lot of additional donations from people who didn’t come but wanted to help. People were dropping off food and drinks all day long. Starbucks even donated six gallons of water and iced tea.
The end result is a beautifully painted house and a new front porch that Bullock and his wife Dorothy can enjoy. However, Cyganik isn’t taking too much praise.
“According to the media, I’m a hero. I’m not a hero; I just heard something that bothered me.
“Anyone would have done the same thing. Everyone has it in their heart to do things like this.”
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