Cypress auto shop employees, customers surprise family with SUV, groceries and gifts

CYPRESS, TX (KTRK) -- It's a few days before Christmas, and you don't have to wonder where Santa is - he's helping the people at Rancourt Automotive in Cypress hand out some gifts for a family in need.

Joe and Sarah Pace and their kids Daniel and Tayler have had a tough 2016. Joe was laid off and had to give up his car because he was unable to make payments.

"It's been really a rough year. Me and my wife, we've been struggling for a while now," Joe said.

He found work in walking distance from his house.

"I've been walking or skateboarding to work. I've been doing that for three months," Joe said.

With the help of customers donating an SUV, Marc Rancourt and his company fixed it up and packed it with groceries and gifts to surprise the Pace family.

"It's a way for us to help people get back on their feet. Everybody has lows. Everybody has highs," Rancourt said.

"I just want to say thank you so much," Sarah said.

Six months of the car insurance has been paid, and they have plenty of presents from Old Saint Nick.

A leg up for a family, already determined to make it.

"It's going to help us out. Going to help us out a lot," Joe said.

And now, planning to pay it forward for someone else when they can.