They say love can do everything, but solidarity has played a very important role in the story of Donald, a 91-year-old retiree who was forced to sell his wife’s jewelry to be able to take care of her. This man, Donald, regularly went to a pawn shop, US Gold & Pawn, in Manchester, New Hampshire, and this fact completely changed his life.
An employee, Janelle, discovered the tough situation of the old man and decided it was her moment to do something, and she did! The story will move you, especially because we live in a moment where individualism gains ground and solidarity and empathy are disappearing little by little… But not in this story!
Sacrifice for love
His name is Donald, he is a veteran and he is 91 years old. This man had been entering the same pawn shop for months selling valuable objects to be able to raise a little money. Silently, he had sold practically everything he considered could be worth something in his house… even a 1994 Mercedes!
The question that changed everything
The employee, Janelle, far from seeming nosy, wanted to ask this man why he was selling so many things, and that was when reality showed up at the window: his wife was very sick, he was taking care of her 24 hours a day and his landlord had raised the rent… So Donald feared he would throw them out on the street with his sick wife.
As they had no close relatives to ask for money, Donald had thought that by selling his most valuable objects he would get some time.
Donald’s trust and sincerity when answering completely moved Janelle, who spoke with her boss so that they would forgive him the interest from the sales. But she knew that was not enough money, and knowing that Donald had several overdue bills she needed to do something more. So she thought of something bigger, what is in fashion now? A campaign on GoFundMe!
From an envelope with money to a wave of solidarity
And that is what she did, she told his story on the GoFundMe platform so the world would know Donald’s story, the first fundraiser got $1,100, but the gesture was so powerful that it went viral on social media.
“I can’t let you do this, it is the best birthday gift anyone has ever received,” confessed the man after receiving the envelope with the money.
The video of Janelle giving the money to the old man moved thousands of people and went viral immediately. In a matter of hours, donations began to grow like foam, finally reaching more than $385,000!!!
Beyond money
Donald, surprised and moved, could not believe that so many people mobilized for him. In tears, he assured that it had been the best birthday gift of his life. His testimony not only reflects the harshness of aging with financial difficulties, but also the strength that collective empathy can have when a real story goes viral!
Empathy, solidarity and community.
Donald’s case shows that even in the most difficult times, solidarity should never be lost because it is a force capable of transforming lives. This whole story is a reminder that being a good person and helping our neighbors costs nothing, and that with a little contribution from each of us we can change one (and a thousand!) lives!
Donald sacrificed everything for love, and now he has received his good karma, society decided not to leave him alone in such a vulnerable moment for him and his wife. What a beautiful story in a world where bad news abounds!
@jenellemarie0212 #veteran #actofkindness #usgoldandpawn #manchesternh #fypage #viral #feelgoodvideo ♬ original sound – Jenellemarie0212