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High school is a formative time that offers different experiences for different kids. There are many events, like prom and homecoming, that help mark that time and create lasting memories. So when those memories are tainted by bullies, it’s a big deal.
Bill Moczulewski doesn't let anything stop him from getting where he's going in life. Including to his overnight job as a janitor at Walmart in Cabot, Arkansas.Legally blind, Bill doesn't drive. So he walks. Five miles there, and five miles back, a total of four hours of walking roundtrip — rain, snow, or shine."I don't call out. I want to work," Bill said.But now, thanks to the kindness of a stranger, Bill's walking days are over.How a Stranger Gave a Blind Man a LiftBill has been religiously making the same trek every Tuesday through Friday, at sundown and sunup, for years. And it isn't without its perils, as part of his journey includes crossing a four-lane interstate bridge (without sidewalks).He used to ride his bicycle to work until he was struck by a vehicle and was forced to trade in his bike for a walker (because there is seriously no stopping this guy). And when he was hit again, a few years later? He just kept on walking. A couple of years ago, Christy Conrad was driving by when she noticed him and stopped and offered him a ride. Bill gratefully accepted. Since then, she has driven him as often as she could. But with her own family to care for, she "couldn't always be there."So, two months ago, she had an idea. A crazy, wonderful idea. She decided to start a community Facebook page, Mr. Bill's Village, hoping to find one or two other people willing to help with his commute. "If you are ever out and about and you see him please pick him up and take him to or from work," her Facebook post read. "Let’s be the village he needs!"Well, she found more than two. She found 1500. In an explosion of kindness, more than a thousand people stepped up, inspired by the man's perseverance and dogged determination."Now it's like everyone is competing to give Mr. Bill a ride," one group member shared.It Takes a Villagehttps://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02TU3py5sT2rwymNq18w7EWbvpjzTwtWzDsYKyTfUDMsVTraXrG7WEU1PZmaHwniQZl&id=61555478772266In what may be the most heartwarming display of community EVER, someone inevitably shows up for Mr. Bill, EVERY SINGLE DAY."It's never the same person from one day to the next," Bill said."There's a lot of good people in this world, all over the place."Bill Moczulewski via CBS NewsBut especially in a small town in Arkansas. When Chris Puckett, owner of local car dealership, Puckett Auto Group, heard about Mr. Bill, he decided he wanted to get in on the action. An Air Force veteran with 17 years of service and 14 tours under his belt, he epitomizes their motto to "Aim High." Initially, he wanted to gift Bill a car but when he found out that he was seeing impaired, Chris decided to give it to Christy instead (and who says karma isn't real??)“When You See a Need, Fill It.”And the kindness, it seems, keeps right on rolling. Other local businesses have also hopped aboard the giving train, providing meals, clothing, and gift cards. After news of Bill travelled far and wide, Christy decided to start a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to make Mr. Bill's life a little easier."We have set up this Go Fund Me Account for Mr. Bill for everyone that doesn’t live locally, but would like to help," she wrote in the description. So far, it's raised $405 of its $500 goal.Christy hopes that her actions, and the actions of those involved in Mr. Bill's Village will inspire others to become a part of their own neighborhood village.“I hope if anyone takes anything from this, it would be: use the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you would want to be treated,” she wrote on Mr. Bill’s Village Facebook page.“When you see a need, fill it if possible!”In a world where you can be anything, be kind. More from Goalcast:Employee Refuses to Help Tired Blind Woman Pleading for Assistance – Then a Cop Escorts Her Outside After Uttering Four WordsBoy Defends Blind Classmate From Bullies – Instead of Applauding Him, He Is Nearly SuspendedMan’s Wife of 50 Years Starts Going Blind – So He Goes to College to Learn How to Do Hair and Makeup
Losing someone you love is never easy. In grief, the best thing many of us can do is find a purpose in our loss and honor the person who is no longer with us. In that way, we create meaning in our lives and, hopefully, make a difference.Two parents who lost their child to cancer are determined to do exactly that. What they weren’t expecting, though, was a visit from one of the biggest celebrities in the world to help them do it.A Devastating LossEsperanza and Edwin are in mourning after losing their daughter, Lily Rose, to cancer in August 2023. But as they approach the year anniversary of her death, they’re finding solace in creating the Live for Lily Rose Foundation, a foundation dedicated to helping other children like her.The goal of the foundation is to turn devastation into comfort and joy for other families, thus extending the light that Lily had as far and wide as possible. It isn’t an easy journey, but it’s an important one that means a lot to the family.Isaiah Garza, a social media influencer whose purpose is to help others and do good, spent time with Lily Rose before she passed and knew the family well. When he learned they were putting their plans for a foundation into action, he called up a buddy for help: The Rock.In a video shared on Garza’s YouTube page, he met with the couple at a park and explained he had a friend who wanted to help them. “My friend wants to meet you guys. I told him your story, and I know it’s been a tough journey,” he explained before asking them to turn around. When they saw who was there, they were shocked.A Hidden ConnectionEsperanza began sobbing when she saw The Rock (a.k.a. Dwayne Johnson) standing there. Moana was one of Lily Rose’s favorite movies, and she particularly loved Maui. Johnson, of course, voiced Maui in the 2016 Disney film.“[Sometimes we] turn it on just to hear the music and to feel her… oh my God I’m in shock,” she said.“One of the last videos I have of my baby is singing that song with her,” Edwin added.“I’m so honored to meet you guys and I… our daughter is going to turn eight in about a month,” Johnson said. “Isaiah told me your story and I’m so sorry. I know what Lily Rose meant to you guys. It’s so heartbreaking, but there was something out of it that was really inspiring,” he continued, referencing the foundation.He then handed the grieving parents a check for $50,000. “She and I always talked about helping kids, and as she was passing, I made a promise to help kiddos in her name,” a tearful Esperanza said. “When she passed I said, ‘I have to do it. I have to do it.’ And we did.”Making a DifferenceThe parents couldn’t believe Johnson's generosity and promised that his contribution would make a big difference. Edwin added that he knew Johnson had been blessed and thanked him for giving back. He explained that’s what they want to do in Lily Rose’s memory now.“We were forced into a world that we knew nothing about. This monster, which is cancer tried to take her from us,” he choked out through tears. “And she fought and fought, and she lived another three beautiful years. I don’t know man, just thank you. That money’s going to go a long way to help a lot of kids,” he continued.“We’re going to help these kids because we lived it. We know it… we know that feeling as a parent. We really do want to help these families because these memories are all we have left.”Finding a PurposeIt’s impossible to watch the exchange without tearing up. Even The Rock was wiping away tears after meeting these beautiful parents who are doing everything they can to assign purpose and meaning to their daughter’s life. Lily Rose was taken too soon, but they will never, ever forget her.It’s such a powerful reminder to all of us who have experienced loss that by finding our own purpose and following the light, we, too, can take steps to heal. Grief is an awful beast that comes in waves and when you least expect it. Sometimes, the best way to deal with that is to know that the person you're grieving is with you in spirit.The pain never truly goes away, but by focusing on the positive and leaning into the good, we can somehow find healing and a way to carry on.More from Goalcast:How Vanessa Laine Bryant And Her Children Are Doing After Kobe Bryant’s DeathFallen Police Officer Leaves Eight Children Behind – 13 of His Colleagues Then Show Up at His 8-Year-Old Daughter’s Home'The Rock’ Surprises Man Who Took Him In When He Was Homeless With A $30K Truck
Sometimes, when you’re working out at the gym, you just want to do your own thing. After all, when you’re lifting weights and focusing on your reps, having someone come over for a casual chat can be all kinds of distracting.So when one man showed incredible patience and kindness to a stranger with special needs who kept approaching him during his workout one day, it caught the attention of a firefighter. The firefighter was so touched by what he witnessed that he shared the story online, where it went viral.A Workout InterruptedA firefighter named Ricky Derouen was getting his workout in at Planet Fitness in Pascagoula, Mississippi, one day when he noticed a man in an orange shirt doing his own workout. It wasn’t the workout that grabbed Derouen’s attention but the fact that a second man, later identified as Derek Medjesk, kept approaching him.“A special needs man constantly approached him about 10 different times in a 45-minute time span with handshakes, hugs, questions and interactions,” Derouen recalled in a social media post, as per Yahoo News.“Not only did this man smile, laugh, give him workout advice multiple times and joke back with him while getting in his own workout, but he didn’t care who was watching while doing it.”Derouen was so touched that he began taking secret photos of the interaction, knowing he wanted to call attention to the kindness he was seeing.“His patience, compassion and friendliness was next-level admirable,” Derouen continued.A Memorable DayWhen Derouen got home, he shared the story online with the purpose of others recognizing the man in the orange shirt and sharing some love for how he treated Medjesk.“Towards the end of the workout, the special needs man approached me, pointed to the man in the orange shirt, and said, ‘That’s my friend,’ with a huge smile on his face,” Derouen continued in his post.“The pics aren’t the best, but they were the best creeper pics I could take at the time, and this guy deserves recognition. The world needs more people like this man in the orange shirt, well done, sir.”After several news outlets picked up the story and hundreds of thousands of others shared it wide on Facebook, the man in the orange shirt was identified as David Samuel.Later, Samuel confirmed to The Sun Herald that he and Medjesk formed a friendship that day, and they have since worked out together. Samuel has shied away from the spotlight following the recognition, but he did tell the publication that the post going viral has been a nice boost.“The best part is where all those people speak positive things,” Samuel said. “[The response] is a blessing.” Always Be KindWho knows what kind of mood Samuel was in that day at the gym or how he really felt about being interrupted by someone else during his workout. At the end of the day, he led with kindness, and it made a big difference in Medjesk’s life.Not only that, but a beautiful friendship emerged from it, and the pair inspired thousands of other people in the process. It’s a nice reminder that it’s always important to be kind to others, no matter the circumstances.After all, we never really know what other people are going through, or when we might need unexpected kindness in return.More from Goalcast:Stranger Gives Woman Advice About Her Toxic Relationship – Receives an Unexpected Email From Her 6 Years LaterWoman Does 26 Random Acts of Kindness for Each Life Lost in School Shooting — Ripple Effects of This Generosity Still FeltWaitress Brings Firefighters to Tears With Her Selfless Gesture – They Pay Back Her Kindness in an Incredible Way
When you’re a kid, theme days at school are a big deal. They’re a chance to dress up in something special and break from your regular routine, all while showing your classmates a side of your personality that you might not always bring to school. So when you aren’t able to participate in one, it can also be a big deal. That happened to one kid in Kentucky recently, but luckily, his bus driver stepped in to save the day.A Disappointed StudentOne day, a first-grade student named Levi was waiting for the school bus. As the driver, Larry Farrish Jr., approached the stop, he noticed something was different about the boy. “I pulled up to the bus stop, and I saw Levi sitting down by himself with his head down, and it dawned on me, something is wrong,” Farrish told Jefferson County Public School in a blog post. “He’s always happy, but this particular day, he was not happy.”When Farrish asked what was wrong, he noticed Levi was crying. The boy explained that he didn’t have pajamas for pajama day.“It hurt me so bad,” Farrish added. “That just wasn’t my Levi, and I wanted him to have a good day. No child should have to miss out on something as small as pajama day.”Determined to Do Some KindnessFarrish knew he had to do something, so after he dropped Levi off at school and finished the morning bus run, he headed over to the nearby dollar store. There, he grabbed several pairs of pajamas in different sizes and drove back to the school.He asked the office if they could call Levi down, and that’s when both his and Farrish’s days took a major turn.“I saw Levi coming down the hall, and he had a face just as happy as could be,” Farrish recalled. “It really turned the whole Friday around, for him and for me.”As for the first-grader, he was over the moon.“I can tell Mr. Larry is nice and his heart is filled with joy,” Levi said. “I’m usually really happy, but not on pajama day… When he got me the pajamas, I did a happy cry.”More Than a DriverFarris has been a bus driver for about seven years now, but he sees himself as more than a driver. He feels that his position allows him to connect with kids and make a real difference in their lives, and he takes the job pretty seriously.“They become my kids after they leave their parents,” Farrish continued in the blog post. “I make sure they get to and from school safe, but I also try to bring some type of joy to their lives.”That could mean playing games or telling jokes or something like a special handshake between him and the students. Or, in the case of Levi, grabbing some extra pajamas so that all kids have the chance to participate in a theme day.“It feels good knowing I made an impact on a child’s life,” he added.Little Acts of KindnessOne reason this story is so touching is because it reminds us what a big difference a small act can make in someone else’s life. It also reminds us that while we often think of teachers as the ones who impact our children while they’re at school, there is a whole village looking out for them.Lastly, this story reminds us that we’re an essential part of that village, too. Whether we have kids or not, remember to practice kindness and lead with empathy, especially when it comes to kids. Doing so can make a big difference in how they grow up. Not only do kids learn by example, but when they know they’re loved they really do thrive.So make the goofy faces, practice the secret handshakes, or just be a safe space for anyone who needs it. You never know how much it may mean to someone down the line.More from Goalcast:Bus Driver Yanks Boy’s Backpack as He Is Getting off the Bus – Now She’s Hailed as a HeroBus Driver Suddenly Stops While on Her Usual Route – Surprised Passengers Witness the Exchange She Has With an Elderly WomanMom Finds Out Her Son Constantly Gets Into Trouble and Has Befriended the Bus Driver – So She Writes a Letter to the School Board
People go through all kinds of things in life, some that they talk about and some that they don’t. The truth is, we don’t always know what’s going on behind closed doors, or what kind of circumstances led to a person’s current position.What we do know is that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, no matter their background or situation. That’s why this story of a “homeless” man insisting on paying for his own meal at a fancy restaurant has reached so many people.A Lunchtime RequestOne day in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a man who appeared homeless came up to the balcony of a high-end restaurant named Benvindo. In English, “benvindo” translates to “welcome.” The name seems on brand, because when this man showed them a $50 bill and asked the waiters for a meal, they sat him down.An average meal at this restaurant goes for about $100, but the servers insisted that this man’s meal was on the house. He declined and said he wanted to pay for it with his sweat, as per a local publication.The man chose the Executive Lunch, which came with a starter, a main course, and a dessert. He also ordered some wine. The server brought him a bottle, but he didn’t finish the drink and asked for a couple of sodas instead. He also skipped dessert.The whole time, the staff treated him just as they would any other client.A Kind GestureWhen the bill came, it totaled more than $120. However, the restaurant’s owners insisted to the server that this man should use his money for something else. When the server tried to comp the meal, however, the man once again insisted that he pay for his food.After some back-and-forth, the server charged the man $10. He lied and said it was a promo because initially, the man wouldn’t take the $40 change. Meanwhile, some patrons nearby snapped some photos of the man. Then, they shared the exchange on social media.“We just watched a great example of compassion and synergy,” the person wrote, as per the local publication. “The ease of this guy made me think about the many paths we choose in life trying to be happy… and many times, it’s in the simplest and most truthful and unexpected way that is closer and more accessible than we realize.”The post went viral and many online came to the conclusion that this man was homeless. They cited how he collects cans and cardboard to make money. However, his true identity remains unknown.“It was an act that we did not for publicity; we were not expecting anything like that,” the server, Felipe Fontes, added. “He was polite, he insisted on paying the bill.”A Universal ApproachOne reason this story touched so many people is that it exemplifies the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect, no matter what preconceived notions we may have about them.Whether this man was homeless or not, it was apparent that this meal was a special occasion for him and something that he wanted to feel like he earned. So the servers and owners did everything they could to make him feel valued and respected.We don’t all have the same privileges, upbringings, or opportunities in life. But by remembering to treat everyone with kindness and like an equal, we add infinite value to all of our lives.More from Goalcast:Restaurant Receives One-Star Review Due to Homeless Man in Front – Instead of Making Him Leave, Owner Defends HimRestaurant Manager Catches Homeless Woman’s Happy Dance After Job Interview – And Hires HerTrembling Homeless Man Begs Restaurant Manager for Leftovers – His Response Teaches Everyone a Lesson
Sanai Graden is a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. So, when the 21-year-old UC Berkeley college student stumbled across a homeless man in Washington, D.C. asking for a cup of tea, she took it in stride and chalked it up to being in the right place at the right time.And now? Thanks to that chance encounter, the man she calls "Unc" has been given a new lease on life...and a GoFundMe worth over $400,000. A Chance Encounter and a Cup of TeaGraden, who loves making TikTok videos, was randomly vlogging a trip to the grocery store when Unc (whose real name is Alonzo) approached her asking for a cup of hot tea. With the camera still rolling, she invited him to walk with her to Trader Joe's. Along the way, the two strangers got talking and Alonzo gradually opened up about his troubled circumstances. He told Graden that he was homeless, has no family, and was diagnosed with prostate cancer. What began as a request for hot tea turned into a "five-hour journey." Graden helped Alonzo refill his pain medication at two different CVS pharmacies, bought him tea at Starbucks, and even put him up in a hotel room for the night with money to buy food and a promise that Graden would find him again. But she still wanted to do more for him. She posted a video documenting their time together on TikTok. "It was crazy because I was going to get my groceries delivered and I decided to go on a walk," she tells Alonzo in the video. "And you were so nice, all you asked for was tea...I'm glad that you allowed me to help you and you were so kind to me and I really hope everything gets better for you."At the end of the video, Graden told her followers that she wanted to start a GoFundMe for him. She meant it. TikTok Video Goes Viral and a Gofundme Campaign Is BornHer video went viral. Insanely viral. It's garnered over 33 MILLION VIEWS and more than 5 million likes. But people didn't just open their hearts to "Unc," they also opened their wallets. Graden did start a GoFundMe and it currently sits at over $400,000 with more than 27,000 people donating. “I’m definitely a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and God put me at that place at the right time. I mean, I never document helping somebody, so the one time I was innocently just vlogging and then this all happened,” she shared in a follow-up TikTok. “It’s all a part of God’s plan.”Graden's first order of business was getting Alonzo off the streets. She set him up at a hotel and took him shopping for new clothes at Target. She is also working on helping him get I.D., find permanent housing, and figure out his healthcare. She plans to have the money put into a trust so that it can be managed properly. "I want to help make sure Alonzo receives the best possible care, and so I’m looking into every option to support his well-being, and also keeping in touch with him throughout this process," she wrote in an update on the GoFundMe.One Good Turn Deserves Another People were so impressed by Graden's willingness to change a stranger's life that they decided to start their own GoFund campaign to raise money for her college education. It currently sits at $24,000.However, this feel-good story isn't without controversy. Based on recent news reports, it seems that Alonzo has a checkered past, including a criminal history. Graden addressed the news on TikTok and said that doesn't change anything for her. "I understand the importance of second chances." Sanai GradenShe continued, "If anybody knows what it feels like to need a second chance, it would be me. No one knows this but when I applied to UC Berkeley my senior year of high school I got denied. It was hard for me but I took what I learned from that situation and then I ended up getting accepted a year later."“They gave me a second chance,” she said. “Also, you know, the man that is being portrayed in the media right now is not the man I met. The man that I met is very kind, down-to-earth, sweet, and super, super grateful.” The Power of Kindness Is Life-ChangingIn fact, Graden's whole experience with Alonzo has inspired her to start her own nonprofit. And it's all about giving second chances."This is the start of something great."Senai GradenOftentimes we think that what we do doesn't really matter. That one person can't make a difference. We underestimate the impact that one simple act of kindness can make. And yet, all it took was one small gesture of goodwill to completely change not only Alonzo's life but Graden's as well. And there's no greater proof of the power of kindness than that. More from Goalcast:Diner Owner Finds Out Homeless People Are Begging His Customers for Money – The Way He Handled It Goes Viral16-Year-Old Becomes Homeless After Parents Ask Her to Move Out – Years Later, a Shocking Scene Changes EverythingHomeless Family of 5 Lives in a Broken-Down Bus – Then a Stranger Makes an Offer That Sounds Like a “Cruel Joke” to Them
*Featured image contains photo by Matilda Wormwood Money can be a big issue in a marriage and is something that couples should talk about frequently in order to be on the same page. Otherwise, hidden financials and spending could lead to resentment or stress. It’s important to be in agreement on how you spend that money, especially if you’re thinking about making a big purchase. So a man named James was taking a big risk when he removed $800 from his vacation fund without telling his wife. Luckily, she had the best reaction when he told her why. A Surprise Text An anonymous woman decided to share a story from her marriage on Imgur one day, posting a screenshot of a conversation with her husband, James. In the texts, James randomly dinged his wife to tell her that he had “such a heartwarming story” for her. “And I know you won’t be upset because you’re my amazing, one-in-a-million soulmate,” he wrote. The wife braced herself with a simple, two-word answer: “Oh boy.” Her husband, a teacher, then launched into a story about one of his students, who had been coming to class every day wearing only a hoodie and sneakers. The weather was getting colder, but the kid had no jacket or boots. The teacher grew concerned. “I didn’t think much of it the first time, but it’s an everyday thing now, so I asked him to stay after class because I’m worried,” he wrote. “It’s freezing outside and he could get sick.” A Family in Trouble After class that day, James learned how the student was facing some hard times. He was living with his grandfather, who was retired. Their only income was a small pension, so the student had started working at Chick-fil-A while juggling school. With his income, they were barely able to cover rent, food, and bills. “So, I’m currently at his place waiting for him and his grandpa to get ready so I can take them shopping for clothes and groceries,” James continued in the texts. “And I took $800 from our trip budget so we can only go for 6 instead of 8 days. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but I didn’t even think about it, I just knew I had to help.” Taking money out of the account without talking about it first wasn't the best move. But, James obviously knew his wife. She wasn’t even slightly angry and had an even more surprising reaction. “We’ll talk when I get home, but I am so proud of you,” she wrote. “See if they have anyone to spend Christmas with, if not we always have room for two more.” Putting People First The texts resonated with so many people on the social media platform because they exemplified kindness and selflessness. This couple had saved their money for a trip that they were probably really looking forward to. But they cut it short in order to help someone else who had way less than they did. “This is such pure, wholesome kindness,” one person wrote in the comments. “For as lousy as things are these days, there are still good people. There will always be good people,” wrote another. By sharing this story, this woman inspired others to give back in their own lives and in their own ways. These texts remind us that sometimes we need to lean on others, and other times we need to be the people who are offering a post to lean on. Whether that means re-evaluating your own financial situation and seeing how you too can help someone in need, or adding a few extra groceries to your shopping cart to donate to the local food bank, there are plenty of ways to help out. Time, donations, and even just being an ear for someone else can go a long way. It doesn’t matter how you do your part, so long as we all remember to put people, and not things, first. More from Goalcast: Man Spends His $400 Paycheck on Poor Nephew Who Had No Toys – 15 Years Later, He Has the Perfect ‘Payback’ 10-Year-Old Collects Money for a Vacation – Then the Truth About What He Actually Did With It Comes Out Man Gives His 6-Year-Old $600 to Go on a Shopping Spree – Little Did He Know His Son Had Other Plans With the Money
Restaurant owner Collin Doran is putting a lifelong lesson to work, everyday. In fact, he's putting the "break" in breakfast; or at least, he's helping his lower-income customers catch one (so to speak).Doran is the proud owner of Homemade Diner in Berkeley, California. When it comes to feeding his customers? He's serving eggs and bacon with an unexpected side of kindness. When he was growing up, the entrepreneur never forgot one simple lesson he learned from his grandfather — the importance of helping those in need.“When I was 12, we were settings things up for Thanksgiving dinner and he told me, ‘Remember — you should never look down on anyone.'"Well, twelve years and thousands of free breakfasts later, it's safe to say, Collin Doran has definitely made his grandfather proud. In every free breakfast, his legacy lives on.A “Problem” He Couldn’t IgnoreKarl Mondon/ Bay Area News GroupIt all started in 2011 when Collin Doran, 53, noticed the presence of homeless individuals outside his beloved diner, begging for spare change to buy food from people passing by.Rather than turning them away or asking that they "leave his customers alone," he decided to do something so much better.In a heartwarming act, he came up with a simple (but not easy) solution. He decided he would commit to giving a free two-egg breakfast with all the fixings to those in need — no questions asked.All were welcomed into the Homemade Diner with open arms. No one was asked to share their story or prove why they were truly in need. No vetting process was necessary. Doran chose to follow blind faith and lead with love.Over a decade later, his trust had paid off in spades.“Instead of ushering people away, I told them, ‘If you’re hungry, let us know and we’ll feed you,’” said Doran. “Right away, people started taking me up on it.”Twelve Years Later, the Pandemic Hit HardCharlotte DoranIt's safe to say, Homemade Diner's mission was alive and well but like so many other small businesses, the pandemic threatened to ruin all they had worked towards.Doran shared that over the course of two years during the pandemic, he drained $200,000 out of his savings account. All to make sure his devoted employees could stay employed during lockdown!It was clear when hard times hit, his generosity wasn't just an act for when times were good — for richer or poorer, it was truly who he was.When He Stepped Up His Community Stepped InWith his incredible initiative over the years, Doran didn't just give back to the community, he also helped it grow. After years of giving his support and hundreds and thousands of dollars, the community he help served for all those years — literally — had his back.“My customers raised more than $30,000 for the restaurant through a GoFundMe I started last fall when we were struggling financially,” Doran shared with the Washington Post.His Customers Chipped In — And It Changed EverythingCharlotte DoranFor years, Doran had been keeping his free meal service alive and well on his own, but when the pandemic hit, it changed everyone's hearts for the good.Customers old and new decided they wanted to do their part.Some customers donated upwards of $5 per meal to help fund “Everybody Eats” at Homemade Diner. One customer even made monthly donations of $100.Everyone has value. We are all worth more than the change in our pocket. “It became clear to me that the reason customers wanted to help was because they’d seen how we’d fed people in the community over the years,” Doran noted. “People didn’t want to lose that. It made sense to continue to provide them with a way to chip in.” Collin Doran, Owner of Homemade DinerEvery penny counts and long after the pandemic, Homemade Diner is accepting donations big and small (or none at all)!Since January, for every $5 donated by a customer, Doran has posted a “free meal” ticket on a bulletin board in his diner to be used by anyone who is hungry. The donations cover the costs of “eggs any way,” served with potatoes, toast, and coffee. “But on days when we run out of tickets, we keep serving free meals anyway,” Doran noted when it comes to bending the rules. “Nobody should go hungry. This is the right thing to do.”Taking It One Step Further — He Offered One Homeless Customer a JobKPixThough Collin Doran has certainly touched many lives, there's one customer in particular who is forever grateful for the small-time restauranteur's kindness.Daniel Amokye was a former unhoused person who benefitted from Homemade Diner's free breakfast program.Amokye heard about the amazing program from a friend and thought it was too good to be true. When he went to check it out for himself, he couldn't believe his eyes...it was exactly as his friend promised.The diner treated Amokye to his first hot meal in a long time and he returned several times that week to grab another hot meal — he was never turned away.In fact, the exact opposite thing happened next. Instead of telling Amokye he had "come too many times," they offered him to come back as many times as he wanted — only this time he'd be behind the counter instead of in front of it.Doran didn't hesitate to offer Amokye a position to work as a dishwasher at the diner — and Amokye couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity.“Now I’m here pretty much every day — grateful for the chance to work,” Amokye shared. “Collin and his cafe have touched many lives, but especially mine.”Kindness Really Is Contagious!Even if you aren't sure if the love you're pouring out into the world is really making a difference — it always is.Doran's story shows us what one simple act can do. One free meal turned into another and another, until thousands of people were not just fed but truly received. There is no greater gift we can give another human than to recognize their innate goodness and welcome them. Relationships come in all different forms where some last a life time, but even the most fleeting moments of kindness can change the course of someone's day.The choices we make today define our tomorrow. We are our habits. When we choose kindness, it becomes part of who we are.More from Goalcast:
As a parent, you want to look out for your children and always keep them safe. So while many parents of grown children in the military are proud, they also worry. It can be a hard thing to deal with, knowing that your child is putting themselves in harm’s way for a good cause.One mom who was dealing with emotions over having two kids in the military still wanted to show everyone how proud she was. But the response she got when she did was completely unexpected.A Proud MamaJodi St. Clair and her husband had two kids serving in 2017: Her older son, Jacob, 22, was serving in Korea, and her younger son, Daniel, 20, was in North Carolina. One day, St. Clair and her husband put two bumper stickers on the back of their van.The first read, “My sons defend our freedom.” The second read, “Proud parent of a soldier.” They knew that by putting the stickers up they were opening themselves up to good and bad reactions, but St. Clair was proud and wanted to show it.Still, nothing could have prepared her for what happened one day a short while later when she was finishing up her shift at the hair salon where she worked. As she approached her van, she saw something stuck to the windshield.An Unexpected NoteAs St. Clair drew closer, she realized there was a paper and what looked like a $20 note. Her first reaction was that it had to be a flyer or some other kind of ad. But when she pulled the note from the windshield, she was blown away. It was a handwritten note from a stranger who wanted to address the bumper stickers.“I pray for our military around the world every night, especially those serving in dangerous areas or in one of our wars,” the note read. It also instructed St. Clair to send the money to her army soldier if they were in the Middle East, to spend it on a care or comfort kit, or to save it for their return. The note was signed by a woman named Shelley.“I had to read it twice, and of course, I started crying,” she told Fox News at the time, as per Little Things. “That somebody took a moment out of their day to share some comfort, it was pretty amazing.”Not only was she touched by the random act of kindness, but St. Clair said that it was well-timed. She had been worrying about her boys lately.“I would like to just tell [Shelley] that her random act of kindness made an amazing impact at a time when it was needed,” she added.The Power of KindnessThis stranger had no way of knowing how much St. Clair could have used a pick-me-up that day, but her random act of kindness made a huge difference. Such acts usually do, which is why it’s nice to practice them in our own lives.Little surprises, notes, and gestures can go a very long way, especially since we never truly know what other people are going through. Leading with kindness and trying to bring a smile to other people’s faces isn’t just a nice thing to do — it can unexpectedly give someone the strength to carry on.So smile at that stranger, pick up that tab, send a little card, or bake someone a treat. You never know who may randomly need it.More from Goalcast:Army Veteran Stands in Check Out Line at Grocery Store – Suddenly, a Stranger Utters 10 Words That Leaves Him StunnedActive Soldier Pretends to Be a Patient at Hospital to Surprise His Wife at Work — Her Reaction Will Make You Cry Tears of JoyRetired US Army Veteran Turns Old Christmas Trees Into Free Canes For Veterans In Need
