Patrons of California shop buy doughnuts by the dozen to give owner time with wife

[demmiblue]

Ever since patrons and community members found out in mid-October that Stella Chhan was ill, they have been arriving at Donut City in Seal Beach, south of Los Angeles, to buy donuts by the dozen. The intent is to allow John Chhan to close his Southern California shop early each day so he can spend time with Stella, his wife.

Dawn Caviola, 58, has been a regular of Donut City for the past 13 years — visiting twice a month with her daughter. But during her most recent visit she found out that John Chhan, 62, was maintaining the shop on his own because Stella Chhan, 63, had suffered an aneurysm in late September and was recovering at a rehabilitation center.

"I went home and I just couldn't get it out of my head," Caviola told NBC News on Saturday. "They are just such hardworking people."

Caviola decided to write a blog post on the private community network, Nextdoor, to urge local residents to help.

"I have never done anything like that before but I just thought if everyone can just buy a dozen doughnuts, it might help him out. I didn't think it would become this big," she said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/patrons-california-shop-buy-doughnuts-dozen-give-owner-time-wife-n930901?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

[angstlessk]

1. I don't like jelly filled, but if it's all ya got

I'll take two dozen...

What a wonderful community..

And I don't live there and did not purchase any donuts...just saying

[SunSeeker]

2. Seal Beach's nickname is "Mayberry by the Sea."

And it is.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

4. Sounds like a beautiful place to be.

[SunSeeker]

15. Yes, it is quite beautiful. But it is not without its racists either.

The principal of Seal Beach's McGaugh Elementary School, Roni Burns-Ellis, recently posted on Facebook that Colin Kaepernick was an "anti-American thug." Parents were outraged and she was forced to apologize...but still has her job.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Seal-Beach-School-Principal-Condemns-Nike-Over-Kaepernick-Ad-Campaign-492581921.html

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

17. Oh good grief.

[Scarsdale]

3. Great story.

I wish the owner and his wife well. May she recover soon. What a caring community this is. Truly needs to be broadcast nationwide. Sold out by 8:30!! That is fantastic. Hardworking people need to be recognized, and helped when needed. Those donuts look delicious.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

5. Maybe someone could volunteer or start a GoFundMe.

I'm seeing GoFundMes on their web site for everything from dog vet treatments to memorial funds in the town of Seal Beach, so why not for a family that needs a hand? Perhaps a few trusted friends could sign on as temporary employees to volunteer to work free so he can get time off. Unfortunately, since she's had a stroke, he may be faced with hiring outside help long-term.

Inspiring story from the article (snip):

The post immediately went viral on social media and Facebook — in part because the doughnut shop is considered an institution in the area.

For the past 28 years, the couple and their baker have gotten to the shop at 2 a.m. PT every day to bake the doughnuts. They then open to the community by 4:30 a.m., seven days a week. It's a routine they've more or less kept to since opening the store in 1990, a decade after the husband and wife immigrated from Cambodia.

We wish this hard working, community-centric family the very best........

[blueniteflower]

6. Someone already offered GFM

The owner declined, saying he'd take more time with his wife. It was sweet.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

10. What a dedicated man and I'll bet his wife is the same way!

It would be better to have direct volunteer help from his customers (money or labor), which he might gladly take. GFM can just create painful expectations.

It does however, seem insane when considering the large amounts contributed there for some of the silliest causes, considering the enormous needs to fight sickness and hunger around the globe. Of course, our most glaring obscenity is the outrageous sums spent on political campaigns and lobbying in the USA.

Thanks for sharing that news........

[oasis]

7. The beauty in people is amazing. nt

[PatSeg]

8. At a time when we hear so many stories

of hate and violence, it is reassuring to hear stories of kindness and compassion.

Thanks for posting.

[Vinca]

9. Every so often something comes along that makes you smile.

A story in our local paper had one about a small police department buying a little kid a new Big Wheels toy because his had been stolen. The look on the kid's face is priceless.

https://www.reformer.com/stories/big-surprise-for-small-boy,555349

[PatSeg]

11. Very touching story

[demmiblue]

12. That is a sweet story.

Good on you, Officer Bryan! Police becoming engaged with the community/community building is what is sorely lacking these days, especially in communities of color.

[Baitball Blogger]

13. They look good.

So want a french crueller now.

[dalton99a]

14. Kick

[LAS14]

16. K & R. We need more such stories in this deeply depressing time. nt