Burrillville man pays it forward by covering grocery bills in late daughter’s honor

December 22, 2018 6:45 pm

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@APittsABC6

SLATERSVILLE, R.I. (WLNE) — Five years after his daughter died in a car accident, a local father continues to pay it forward, surprising people during the Christmas rush by paying for their groceries.

Brian Heil lost his daughter, Shannon, in a car crash in Burrillville in 2013. She was 18-years-old.

Since her death, Heil has decided not to mourn, but instead to carry on the spirit of his daughter by paying it forward every holiday season.

“It’s sort of our little way of giving a little hug,” said Heil.

At all three Brigido’s Fresh Market locations on Saturday morning, Heil and a group of Shannon’s friends surprised customers by paying their grocery bills in full.

They spent the morning randomly selecting the customers at the markets in Slatersville, Pascoag, and North Scituate.

“Everything I’m doing is based on things I think she would do. So when people walk away, they get a feel of who Shannon is.”

Heil has raised thousands of dollars in his daughter’s name. He’s done this outreach for the past four years. This year, he says, is the biggest.

“There’s always someone that we’re going to meet in these moments that really need a little love and a little hope.”

Ann Brasard is one of those people. After the woman in front of her at checkout had her own groceries paid for by the group, she then paid Brasard’s $124 bill.

“I also lost a daughter, a young teenage daughter, so I really appreciate what this gentleman has done with his organization. It’s really cool,” said Brasard.

Shannon’s dad is hoping the people he touches through his outreach, will continue to pay it forward, no matter the time of year.

“All we have to do is be bold enough and brave enough just to walk up to somebody random and say, I’m buying something for you today or I’m gonna do this for you today, just because. Just because today is a great day to give you a hug.”

Share for Shannon covered $5,000 worth of groceries on Saturday.

For more information on the organization, click here.