September 14, 2026

A man opened his home to two boys who needed someone to care for them, and after their story was shared publicly, strangers from across the country stepped up to help give all three of them a fresh start.

Sam Restifo and the two boys / via GoFundMe

In February 2025, two boys, then 14 and 12 years old, were dropped off at Sam Restifo’s home in Saginaw, Michigan, by a woman he barely knew. Since then, Sam has been caring for them and doing his best to provide the stability they desperately needed.

The situation, however, has been incredibly difficult.

The boys had little family support and were afraid of being separated if they entered the foster care system. They also struggled to attend school, and Sam was unable to enroll them for the new school year because he did not have legal guardianship.

Meanwhile, the three of them were living in a home without running water. The electricity had also been shut off, leaving Sam to rely on a generator.

Still, he kept showing up for the boys.

"If I decided I didn't want to, there are no homes for them, and they would split up," Sam told ABC12.

After the news station shared the family's story, help began arriving from people who had never even met them.

A GoFundMe campaign has now raised more than $15,000, with donations helping Sam cover expenses for the boys, household necessities and the ongoing costs of caring for them. The fundraiser also says the money may help with legal assistance as Sam works toward becoming their guardian.

"I just got money; it's all going towards the house and the kids," Sam said.

And the difference has already been enormous.

Sam says the home will have running water and electricity again, and he is working to get the boys back into school. He also plans to get them plenty of clothes and shoes.

"We are going to get them a whole bunch of clothes and shoes," he said.

There has even been renewed interest in Sam’s gutter business, giving him another opportunity to build a more stable future for the household.

For Sam, though, the story is about more than money. He has developed a genuine bond with the two boys.

"I think they have helped me as much as I have helped them," he said.

What started with one man simply refusing to turn his back on two boys in need has now become a much bigger story about people choosing to help when they hear that someone needs it.

And for three people who were facing an uncertain future, that kindness is already making a difference.