Pawn shop owner called 'angel in disguise'

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) -- What started out as a pawn shop owner deciding to donate a few wheelchairs a few years ago has turned into a community effort to help those most in need.

Now one man will have a Merry Christmas and an easier life because of this growing generosity.

A special delivery, and one Phil Pavone has been making a lot more of these days. It started out three years ago when he decided to give away a few wheelchairs from his store A-Z Pawn & Guns in Norwich.

"If you read these stories they just bring a tear to your eye."

He got 60 letters in response, and now he's giving away about 25 wheelchairs and scooters this year.

"Ya know the biggest thing is they feel like they're a burden to people," said Pavone. "People in their own homes couldn't get a coffee."

Tuesday, it was a letter from Jerry Mulvey which brought Pavone to New London. Mulvey's friend Napolean Bellanceau had a stroke leaving him paralyzed on the left side.

"I asked for the lord to send...help him because he has such a hard time," Mulvey said.

His prayers were answered by Pavone and the many who have donated the chairs, which can cost thousands of dollars.

"I could never afford one of these to give for my dad," said Marlene O'Connell, daughter.

"Merry Christmas to you. God bless you. Merry Christmas."

Bellanceau will no longer have to use his only good hand to push himself around.

"It's hard pumping this," Bellanceau said.

He says it's exhausting.

"I wouldn't have been able to go nowhere," said Bellanceau.

Now he can. He's wanted a motorized scooter for a while.

However, it's going to be a little longer until he can actually get into it because he will need some training.

It doesn't seem like that will be a problem though.

"Right arm...that's exactly what it is."

The gift of hope.

"I think he's an angel in disguise," said Mulvey. "We're good."