The $12 Impact
Donation protected
Happy Friday Folks!
Below is a story that happened to me on Friday January 8th, 2021 at around 2:30 in the afternoon at a local Cedar Rapids HyVee. It may seem small in scale, but it has been on my mind constantly for a week. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it so I felt compelled to share the story with you all.
With all the negativity in the world, I thought this might be a bright spot in your day, just as it was mine.
I was finishing up the day at work and needed to stop on the way home for some groceries because we were making dinner for some friends. I realized that before leaving work, I had forgotten my wallet at home. My coworker, Ron, was kind enough to lend me $100 so I didn't have to drive all the way home for my wallet and go back to the store because I was short on time.
As I was in the checkout line with just the money my coworker lent me, I thought that I may not have enough to cover the groceries that I had in my cart. I'm sure many of you have been in a similar situation before, but there is nothing like the anxiety of knowing maybe you won't have enough to cover your groceries because you don't have your wallet.
Before the cashier had scanned my groceries, I couldn't help but notice the happiness and positive attitude he gave off. It was contagious. As he was scanning my groceries, it was quickly becoming apparent that the $100 was not going to cover the items in my cart. Sure enough, the total came out to $112. This wasn't that big of a deal, I would just put something back and stop back at the store later. Without hesitation or skipping a beat when the total came on the screen, the cashier offered to pay for the difference. I insisted that was not necessary but he would not take no for an answer. He came around from behind the counter and entered his own debit card in the machine and paid for the difference.
As I said earlier, that may seem small in scale to many of you but it almost brought me to tears that a complete stranger who I had never met in my life who was on his shift at work was kind enough to cover me for being a bonehead by not having my wallet.
This all took place in a matter of a couple minutes, but the impact it has had on my thoughts and mind over the last week have been weighing heavy on me. I originally thought I would write a letter to him and give him a nice little gift the next time I was in the store, but the more I have thought about it, I knew I had to do more.
I only know this man by the first name and last initial on his nametag. He has no idea who I am, and I'm sure he has long forgotten about me.
I have set up this GoFundMe page to try and raise $3000 (or more) to give to this kind man. He has no idea who I am. All I know is the HyVee store he works at and his first name and last initial. The plan is to raise money and every penny raised will be given directly to this man to help him in whatever way it can.
I know you may be hesitant to donate to a cause with such vague details and without knowing the identity of the person, but I will be sure to post a follow up and picture when I give him the funds.
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” — Helen Keller
Below is a story that happened to me on Friday January 8th, 2021 at around 2:30 in the afternoon at a local Cedar Rapids HyVee. It may seem small in scale, but it has been on my mind constantly for a week. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it so I felt compelled to share the story with you all.
With all the negativity in the world, I thought this might be a bright spot in your day, just as it was mine.
I was finishing up the day at work and needed to stop on the way home for some groceries because we were making dinner for some friends. I realized that before leaving work, I had forgotten my wallet at home. My coworker, Ron, was kind enough to lend me $100 so I didn't have to drive all the way home for my wallet and go back to the store because I was short on time.
As I was in the checkout line with just the money my coworker lent me, I thought that I may not have enough to cover the groceries that I had in my cart. I'm sure many of you have been in a similar situation before, but there is nothing like the anxiety of knowing maybe you won't have enough to cover your groceries because you don't have your wallet.
Before the cashier had scanned my groceries, I couldn't help but notice the happiness and positive attitude he gave off. It was contagious. As he was scanning my groceries, it was quickly becoming apparent that the $100 was not going to cover the items in my cart. Sure enough, the total came out to $112. This wasn't that big of a deal, I would just put something back and stop back at the store later. Without hesitation or skipping a beat when the total came on the screen, the cashier offered to pay for the difference. I insisted that was not necessary but he would not take no for an answer. He came around from behind the counter and entered his own debit card in the machine and paid for the difference.
As I said earlier, that may seem small in scale to many of you but it almost brought me to tears that a complete stranger who I had never met in my life who was on his shift at work was kind enough to cover me for being a bonehead by not having my wallet.
This all took place in a matter of a couple minutes, but the impact it has had on my thoughts and mind over the last week have been weighing heavy on me. I originally thought I would write a letter to him and give him a nice little gift the next time I was in the store, but the more I have thought about it, I knew I had to do more.
I only know this man by the first name and last initial on his nametag. He has no idea who I am, and I'm sure he has long forgotten about me.
I have set up this GoFundMe page to try and raise $3000 (or more) to give to this kind man. He has no idea who I am. All I know is the HyVee store he works at and his first name and last initial. The plan is to raise money and every penny raised will be given directly to this man to help him in whatever way it can.
I know you may be hesitant to donate to a cause with such vague details and without knowing the identity of the person, but I will be sure to post a follow up and picture when I give him the funds.
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” — Helen Keller
Organizer
Sam Hammes
Organizer
Cedar Rapids, IA