Cameron English and his mailbox.

Michigan Home Depot Employees Build a Mailbox for a very Special Boy

Home Depot did it once again, getting into action in putting a smile to people.

Michigan Home Depot employees made a little boy with Autism happy.

Seven-year-old Cameron English has an unlikely obsession with mailboxes. He has Autism and is nonverbal.

Cam’s mailbox

 “He is fascinated with opening and closing the door, hiding things inside of it and raising and lowering the flag,” said Denise Haight, Cameron’s grandmother.

It’s because of Cameron’s interest that his grandma decided to build him a personalized mailbox for his birthday. But unfortunately, she was unsure how to make one, then two Home Depot employees in Gaylord, Michigan noticed when she was at the store looking for supplies.

That’s when the Home Depot associates - Store Manager Gary Malak and Territory Operations Manager Lorel Woodard - approached her, offering their help.

Home Depot employees who made Cameron’s special mailbox.

“I explained the story about Cameron, and that it was his birthday, and that I had an idea about what I was trying to do,” Haight said.

Malak and Woodard helped her think about the details, asking about which material to use, height and more.

“Do you trust me?” Mr. Malak eventually asked her. A bit confused, Haight replied that she did. At that point, he told her to come back to the store.

So, after a few days, Haight returned. When she arrived, Haight couldn't believe what she saw: A mailbox that was “exactly what I was imagining,” she said.

Cameron received his mailbox full of toys.

So, after a few days, Haight returned. When she arrived, Haight couldn't believe what she saw: A mailbox that was “exactly what I was imagining,” she said.

Haight then asked the associates how much she owed for the mailbox, as there was no price tag attached to it. But Malak was quick to respond that it was free of charge. 

“He only wanted us to tell Cameron a "Happy Birthday from Home Depot,” she said.

What’s more special was that the three employees who actually built the mailbox, identified only as Gene, Laura, and Don packed it full with toys, a small stuffed bear and a Home Depot apron for Cameron to wear.

Denise and Cameron with the Home Depot Employees.
The grandmother cried and hugged the kind employees.

The next day, Haight brought the mailbox to Cameron’s birthday party at a local park. After noticing the mailbox, “the look on his face was just amazing,” she said.

In return for all the kindness, Haight said she plans to frame a collage of pictures that show the Home Depot employees building the mailbox to the point where Cameron received the gift.

Home Depot Michigan

Haight posted the event on Facebook and had more than 7,000 reactions, 3,000 shares, and 600 comments.

“It’s breaking our hearts to see the kindness, even when it comes to Autism itself,” she said. “Cameron is different than the other children his age, but he is such a special little boy.”

Thank you Home Depot for making this little boy's birthday extra special.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

- Anne Frank