To find joy, he puts his energy into shooting his basketball on the driveway of his family's mobile home, something Aubrey observed while driving her Southeastern Indiana route.

But she also noticed his basketball set was in poor condition.

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"His enthusiasm for basketball was like none I'd ever seen - the sheer joy on his face made me melt," Aubrey told The Washington Post.

Aubrey did what her heart told her to do. She surprised Eli with a new basketball set and basketball, which she purchased on her day off, taking six hours to assemble it.

photo: hollisbrooklinenewsonline.com

Afterward, Aubrey borrowed a truck and drove the basketball set to Eli's home.

"When I got there, nobody was home, which was perfect," she told The Post. "I was excited that it would be a surprise."

Aubrey placed the new basketball set next to the old one and wrote a note which in part said:

"Just wanted you and your son to have the best hoop that'll grow with him, and all his friends!" "It's wonderful that you guys shoot hoops with him."

photo: cnn.com

Aubrey drew a smiley face and signed it, adding, "Just one of the FedEx drivers for the area."

When Coledo Wheeler, Eli's mother came home, saw the basketball set, and read the note, she wept tears of joy.

She was so touched by this kindness, she posted it on her Facebook page for the world to know.

Eli wept too when he saw his new basketball set for Aubrey's kindness had made a big difference at a crucial time in his life.

Editor's Note: About Aubrey, Coledo posted on her Facebook page: "He [gave] her a card and lots of hugs. They even played ball for a few...?????? she's awesome...I thank her so much."

To learn more: Click here, here, and here.

Thank you to Hall of Fame Basketball Coach George Raveling, and to my son Kyle Kazan for sharing this wonderful story with us.

In the next KazanToday: A dog with a bus pass who rides the bus on her own.