A Layoff Results in a Xmas Gift for One Family

Dec. 22, 2008 — -- Mike Camp and Ralph Hanahan worked together closely for five years as the go-to computer guys at the Governor's School of the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, S.C.

If a computer was on the fritz or an e-mail couldn't be opened, teachers and students went to the pair for aid.

"We worked as a team ... and pretty interchangeable ... almost like two halves of the same heart," Camp, 40, said.

But when rumblings of the nation's economic crisis hit South Carolina, Hanahan, 55, worried the school would be forced to choose between him and Camp.

Camp said, "I think he realized that if the trends didn't stop, there would be layoffs at the school and he expected that one of the two of us would be targeted for that."

Indeed, the school alerted staff last month that an unknown number of employees would be laid off in the coming weeks. To stave off any difficult decisions and help his younger friend, Hanahan did something that sent the school and town abuzz.

"Ralph, indeed, stepped forward and said, 'If you have to do this, you should take me,'" said school president Bruce Halverson said.

Hanahan, who had worked more than 20 years as a state employee, volunteered to take the hit and save Camp from the layoff list.

"I'm astonished that anyone in this day and time can do that," Camp said. "He'll have our gratitude for an endless time."

Camp surprised Hanahan on "Good Morning America" today and offered his thanks for the sacrifice he made.

Click here to tell "GMA" whom you'd like to thank.A tearful Hanahan, who now collects $326 in unemployment and continues looking for work, was surprised to see his story aired on "GMA."

"He started off as our Thanksgiving angel and now he's our Christmas angel," said Camp's mother, Martha Pool, who wrote into "GMA" to tell the family's story. "This man made it possible for them to continue their life uninterrupted."

The Back Story

Hanahan knew Camp and his wife, Lorrie Camp, had four young children ages 6 to 10. The couple's youngest child, Aaron, suffers from severe autism.

The Camps already have dealt with the great stress brought on by the treatment and therapy for Aaron's condition and, at times, their medicals bill are too much to bear.

"Ralph [Hanahan] definitely had a soft spot in his heart for Aaron," Lorrie Camp said.

Her husband said, "He honored that by putting himself in my place and taking the layoff that should've been mine."

But the Camps said they aren't surprised by Hanahan's generosity because it's such a large part of his personality.

Lorrie Camp said the Columbia, S.C., resident reminded her of a popular movie character from the Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life."

"I feel like I've met a real life George Bailey and that's Ralph Hanahan," Lorrie Camp said. "Words really can never express adequately what I feel in my heart, gratitude, and I know I'll never really be able to repay him how much it's meant to me and my family."

Hanahan's son and at least one of his former students also were unsurprised by his selflessness.

"I think he deserves some praise, but it's not the reason why he's done it," Hanahan's only child, Brian Hanahan, said. "It's just one of many things he's done in his life."

Junior student Jason Catron said, "A lot of people would define themselves by a job and say, 'You know, I want this job because this is who I am,' but he defined himself by his actions instead of his job."

The Camps' children are most thrilled about Hanahan's deed.

"This is the nicest thing anyone [has] ever done for us — ever and it probably will be for the rest of our lives," Morgan Camp said.

Aaron Camp said, "Thank you Ralph. You are so special."

Ralph Hanahan said he can be reached by e-mail at HANAHANR@yahoo.com.