LANCASTER, Mass. — In an act of Christmas cheer last year, Monica Tarbell, a waitress at the Sterling Street Brewery in Clinton, announced on social media that she would like to donate her tips to charity.

Alexandra “Alix” Turner, the town of Lancaster’s Council on Aging director, reached out to Tarbell suggesting that she help an elderly woman in town whose roof was falling in. 

Tarbell took Turner’s advice and supplemented the funds through  a GoFundMe page, which ultimately raised $8,025 to help repair the roof of 88-year-old Sandy McMinn.

McMinn, who became a certified nursing assistant late in life, moved into her family home to care for her ailing mother prior to her passing. She has also been a caretaker for her ailing friends.

“Sandy would talk about some of the problems at her house but never ask for help,” said Turner. “She is one of those people who puts up with things.”

Tim Driscoll, a Lancaster resident and owner of Cedar Grove Construction. Courtesy photo.

Using the money they raised, Turner and Tarbell brought in the help of Timothy Driscoll, a Lancaster resident who owns Cedar Grove Contracting company. Driscoll and his team helped to restore McMinn’s roof, which was entirely repaired by April 2. 

“She needed the entire roof redone,” explained Driscoll. “It was covered for about a year with a tarp. In all honesty, it was one of the worst roofs I have ever seen.”

Driscoll added that the repair took one day, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of some locals who joined in to clean up the debris.

“We hope that other people in the community see this and help to do the same thing in the future,” said Driscoll.