Compassionate 911 Operator Delivers Groceries to an Elderly Cancer Patient’s Home After He Called for Help

image via ABC11

When Clarence Blackmon, an 81-year-old man in Fayetteville, North Carolina who had been undergoing months of in-patient cancer treatment, came home to an empty house without any food and was too weak to go anywhere. Instead he called 911 to ask for help. Dispatcher Marilyn Hinson took his call and let him know that groceries would be on their way. With permission from her supervisor, Hinson took it upon herself to personally deliver the groceries to Blackmon’s door and even prepared sandwiches for him. ABC11 in Raleigh spoke with both Blackmon and Hinson.

Since the news report, donations to Clarence Blackmon have been pouring in, so much so that Blackmon has asked that they now be directed to the Salvation Army. It appears that the hospital that discharged Blackmon failed to notify the Department of Social Services (DSS) of his release. The error has since been rectified.

A DSS social worker spent several hours with Blackmon Wednesday. They are now taking care of his needs. As for the donations, Blackmon asked that they go to the Salvation Army to help others. “I want everyone that goes hungry, or lives under a bridge, at least they can go to the Salvation Army. They can get some good food,” said Blackmon. Blackmon said he is truly blessed by all the help.