TURNER, Maine — A Maine community is giving back to a beloved janitor who has given decades of service to Turner Elementary school. Owen Donnell is unable to return to work due to a complication from Type-2 Diabetes and his doctor has ordered him to stay off his feet.
Donnell worked as a custodian in the Leeds and Turner community since 1975. He has been at Turner Elementary for 43-years. Many who went to school there shared interactions and stories about Donnell on a GoFundMe thread, started to winterize his home.
The 63-year-old janitor told NEWS CENTER Maine he is a few years away from retiring, unless his disability forces his decision.
In addition to the online fundraiser, Donnell says he is 'overwhelmed' by the community's support. People have been coming over to fix his bandages on his feet, companies have emptied his septic tank and drilled a new water well, at no cost to him.
“It pulls on the heart strings because I didn’t realize what an impact I had on these kids and it’s all coming back," said Donnell. "It just feels so good.”
Goodwin Well & Water, Inc. called Donnell and told him they were installing a well. The project spanned over the Christmas break and was wrapped-up on Dec. 26. Donnell has another well on his property, but it had run dry and was not reliable. He was using empty jugs to shuttle water from the school, to his home, so he could flush the toilet, wash-up and drink.
Donnell doesn't own a computer, but wants to find a list of everyone who donated so he can thank them in person.