Good Samaritan turns to eBay to help Harvey victim rebuild her life

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Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Harvey victim appears in eBay ad over tea cups
A random act of kindness is going viral after Hurricane Harvey.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Shirley Hines survived Hurricane Harvey, but lost almost everything.

Among all the valuables she lost were her beloved teacups that belonged to her late mother.

Upon hearing her story, Maryland resident Ann Dahms-a complete stranger to Hines-found the exact tea cups on eBay and purchased them to send to her.

"I recognized what that cup meant to her, and I knew that somewhere out there, there would be another cup...and wouldn't you know, eBay had it."

When eBay heard this act of kindness was taking place, the company decided to coordinate a trip so the two women could meet face-to-face for the first time.

"She's very obviously a woman of great dignity and courage, and it's always good to be in the presence of people like that," Dahms said.

As the two women were chatting, a 2016 Jeep Compass pulled into Hines' driveway, and after some initial confusion, she learned the car was hers to keep. Along with the reunion, eBay also donated the car because Hines' was destroyed in the flood.

"I'm at a loss of words," a stunned Hines said. "This is unbelievable."

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