Chhan’s daily doughnut supply would run out quickly, signaling the end of his workday. Recognizing the need for support, Caviola took initiative and turned to the community network Nextdoor, urging residents to purchase as many doughnuts as possible to assist him. The response exceeded expectations.
“I have never done anything like that before, but I just thought if everyone can buy a dozen doughnuts, it might help him out. I didn’t think it would become this big,” she shared.
Encouraged by another Donut City fan, Marc Loopesko, the community rallied to buy out Chhan’s inventory each morning, ensuring he could go home early to be with his ailing wife. Caviola’s post gained viral traction, leading to a surge in doughnut purchases, with one Saturday morning seeing the shop sold out by 8:30 a.m. Chhan expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you very much, for our neighbors, our community, they’re all helping me so much.”
Despite offers to create a GoFundMe account, Chhan declined, emphasizing his desire for time with his wife over financial assistance. Originally from Cambodia, the couple’s resilience and Chhan’s humble nature left a lasting impact on the community.
In a recent update, John shared that Stella is making significant strides in her recovery, regaining the ability to talk and eat. The couple looks forward to her returning to the shop soon