LAS VEGAS - Mike and Tonya Veach are volunteers at Canyon Ridge Mercy House, a non-profit that serves the needy throughout the community. If you stop by, you will likely find one of them there.
"It's hard to describe, but you see it in people's face(s) and their eyes, the help," said Tonya Veach. "They're so appreciative, the help that they get."
"They come here with a smile, and you can see in their face(s) that they receive payment through helping others," said Mike and Tonya's colleague Morgan McGowen. "That's the joy in it for them."
That joy has inspired Tonya to spend more than 40 hours a week at Mercy House - going above and beyond the duties of any volunteer.
"She'll stay late if I've got other projects going on I need help with or if we've got something coming up. She'll come on the weekends and give extra hours," McGowen said.
Mike Veach also spends 10 to 15 hours a week at Mercy House and does everything from picking up supplies to offering rides to those in need.
"They never ask for anything. It just blows my mind. I always like to think that I'm not selfish, but when I see them, I view myself as selfish," McGowen said.
What makes their story even more inspiring is that, until recently, Mike had been an out-of-work electrician for two years. The couple had been struggling to make ends meet, but still felt a need to give back.
"They started out as clients, and they just felt it right to give back. They didn't want to just receive something free handed. They felt like they needed to serve other people and give them hope, and it was in their own hearts to do it," McGowen said. "To just keep giving and just keep giving and just keep giving, it's like how much do you have in those hearts?"
"We just always chose to be positive - hold your head up and keep on trying," Tonya said.
"Pay it forward always. Take it a day a time and keep on going," Mike added.
8 News NOW decided to reward Mike and Tonya for all the smiles they create throughout our community. 8 News NOW awarded them $800 as part of its new weekly series Acts of Kindness.
If you wish to nominate someone for Acts of Kindness, visit our website or email us.
