In the bustling city of Edmonton, Alberta, a unique encounter unfolded at Curiosity Incorporated, an antique shop known for its collection of rarities.
The shop’s owner, Alexander Archbold, was visited by Adam Gillian, a regular who was unlike most.
Homeless and hoping to make ends meet, Adam stumbled upon what he believed was just a discarded piece of animation history.
The item in question was an old animation cel featuring the beloved Disney character, Bambi, which Adam found in a dumpster.
Thinking it might fetch a few dollars, he brought it to Alexander, who purchased it for $20.
It was a straightforward transaction, with no haggling over the price, as Adam was pleased with the amount for his serendipitous find.
However, the true value of the animation cel was far beyond what either had anticipated.
After a closer examination and some research, Alexander realized the cel was worth considerably more than what he had paid.
This revelation came as a surprise, captured in a documentary video where Alexander noted the cel’s unexpected worth.
Driven by a sense of fairness and generosity, Alexander decided to share the profits from the sale of the animation cel with Adam.
The challenge was finding him again, as Adam’s transient lifestyle made it difficult.
Alexander scoured the city streets during the cold holiday season, driven by a memory of his own past hardships with homelessness and poverty.
Alexander’s empathy stemmed from his own childhood experiences, as he shared in the video:
“My mom worked three jobs for a while, and we didn’t have a home. We struggled with poverty and homelessness ourselves when I was a kid. And for much of junior high, we lived in motels.”
This personal history fueled his determination to locate Adam and share the proceeds from the cel that had sold for a stunning $3,700 on eBay.
Fortune smiled upon them when Adam walked back into Curiosity Incorporated.
Initially, he thought he was just there for a casual interview for Alexander’s YouTube channel. Little did he know, Alexander had planned to give him half of the proceeds from the sale.
The moment was captured on video as Alexander handed over an envelope filled with cash, revealing the true value of the cel and the story behind his search.
The story didn’t end with the cash exchange.
Alexander took a step further by setting up a GoFundMe page to help improve Adam’s life circumstances, a gesture Adam readily accepted.
Through the community’s support, they raised $18,000, which went towards necessities and a fresh start for Adam, who was a father to three young children and had fallen on hard times.
Updates from Alexander revealed that the funds were used for food, clothing, and helping Adam return home.
The community’s generosity had a profound impact, allowing him to regain stability.
A year later, Adam returned to the shop, his demeanor transformed.
He was back at work, back on his feet, and radiating new-found confidence, a stark contrast to the man who had once sifted through trash hoping for a small find.
Check out the full incredible story in the video below!
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