A Niles cancer patient and his family received a helping hand this week from a local petroleum products transportation company.

Kevin, who did not want his last name used in the story, said he was diagnosed with cancer in May. Since then, he and his family have had neither the time nor the financial resources to tackle a number of projects in and around their home in downtown Niles.

“When your husband has cancer, making sure he gets treated and cared for becomes your whole world,” said Kevin’s wife, Cassie. “Getting yard work done and other things just isn’t a priority. While the house is falling down around you your focus is on your husband.”

When Wolverine Pipe Line in Niles learned about Kevin’s story from the Berrien County Cancer Service — with the family’s permission — they decided to take action.

On Monday, nearly a dozen Wolverine employees spent the entire day completing a number of projects at the family’s home, including fixing a fence, replacing windows, doing yard work and installing a dehumidifier in the basement, among other things.

“I am really grateful that they came out and helped,” Kevin said.

“Words can’t describe how grateful we are,” said Cassie. “It is such a

relief to see some of this work get done and it makes you feel good to see that people care. It is inspirational.”

Wolverine Niles employee David Brooks said the company has been providing help to local people with its day of caring initiative over the past several years. Past projects include building a wheelchair ramp and deck for a Niles senior and doing a home repair project for a local person suffering from multiple sclerosis.

“We try to help people do the things that they can’t do themselves,” Brooks said. “We want to put joy in their heart, relief on their face and help rejuvenate their spirit.”

Kevin has been receiving treatment at Lakeland Hospital and additional care from the Berrien County Cancer Service, a non-profit organization that provides in-home nursing care and other supportive services to those affected by cancer or related illnesses in Southwest Michigan.

Renee Reid-Smith, BCCS community development liaison, said she too was grateful to see Wolverine help out one of the families they are assisting.

“It has given them a spirit to fight, which you can’t measure,” she said.

Milano’s Pizza in Niles donated food to the family and workers Monday.

Quality Glass of Niles donated the new windows for the project.