Seventy-two-year-old Ella Setzler is raising six children all by herself. After first raising her own children, then several grandchildren, the great-grandmother is now raising six great-grandchildren.
Devoted grandmother
The circumstances surrounding their situation are unclear, but Ella rescued the young siblings from a bad situation and gave them a loving, supportive home.
Paying for the house, car, utilities, and groceries all alone, the military widow from Las Vegas was having trouble making ends meet. Paying down the water bill that had reached $900 due to a leak just wasn’t possible. And Ella assumed Christmas was out of the question.
Thankfully, she had someone watching her back.
Alicestine Miller- Ella's best friend who lives in California- was worried about her and came up with a surprise.
“She cooks. She cleans for the children. She’s truly just a good person,” Alice told Fox5.
I want her to know that someone cares.
Alice Miller to Fox5
Alice contacted the Fox5 Surprise Squad and a slew of unexpected kindness showed up on Ella’s doorstep.
“We’re like sisters. She checks on me all the time,” Ella told Fox5 when she answered the door and they told her Alice had sent them.
Bundle of surprises
First, the squad surprised Ella with her best friend, Alice. Then, they whisked the ladies off in a black limousine to a spa day while the squad got to work.
When the two friends returned, Ella opened the door to a house full of surprises.
Rebuilding Together and Aqua Plumbing took care of the water issues and repairs and paid the balance of her water bill. RC Willey and America First Credit Union also participated. Ella found the house completely furnished and decorated for Christmas. The Christmas tree had gifts and $500 gift certificates for each child underneath it and a $500 Albertsons gift card for Ella to cook some delicious meals.
The final surprise: United Nissan paid the rent on the home for the next year.
It’s so beautiful. Y’all have made my year.
Ella Setzler to Fox5
Coming through in a crisis
The looks on the children’s faces when they entered the home were priceless. “It’s a big Christmas miracle,” one child said. “So, I would say this is the best day of my life.”
“It’s like I was in a dream but I’m not,” another one said.
Just love God and he’ll love you back and he’ll make you have a Merry Christmas. It’s not about the presents it’s about a love in your family.
One of the children to Fox5
A good friend isn't defined in a particular way. But one thing is for sure, like Alice, a good friend looks out for you, always has your back, and is someone you can depend on during a crisis.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.