A story about a young man from Covington, Kentucky went viral after a sweet gesture touched the hearts of everyone who saw it.
18-year-old high school senior Teo Jordan was working at his local Kroger grocery store when he saw a man in need.
Putting others before yourself
Jordan’s job was just temporary as he hoped to earn some cash to help his family and buy himself a car.
But despite the fact that he was saving all he could, he had something to spare for a stranger.
It’s the sort of kindness we always talk about and are happy to say the world needs more of, but not all of us are so willing to recognize it and follow our own advice when we see the need.
“Just treat people the way you want to be treated (and) always help out if someone needs it,” Jordan told WLWT News.
Living by the Golden Rule
So what did Jordan do that had so many people rushing to recognize it? Something small, but powerful.
An elderly man was in the checkout line at the store while he was bagging groceries and when it came time to pay, the man realized he didn’t have enough money with him.
The cashier told him he would have to put back some of his items.
It can be an embarrassing situation, but Jordan didn’t let it go any further before stepping in.
Lending a helping hand
Despite his savings goals, he knew he was in a position to help.
“I just seen I wanted to help the guy. I saw that he didn’t have the money for all the groceries that he wanted. The cashier told him he would have to put some of the thing back so I just thought in my head I would give him this $35 so he could have all the food that he wants,” the young man said.
He reached into his pocket and handed over the $35 he had in his pocket.
Afterward, his co-workers praised his act of generosity and made sure it wouldn’t go unrewarded.
They spread the word far and wide about the kind gesture, which eventually made its way back to Teo Jordan’s mother.
“I am proud of Teo. I’m overwhelmed with joy. You try to instill in your kids right and wrong but you don’t know if they comprehend, so yes I’m very proud,” his mom, Stephanie Burson, told WLWT.
Small gesture, big recognition
During the pandemic, many of us have failed to appreciate what frontline workers go through to earn relatively small wages.
But Jordan’s generosity was yet another reminder that it doesn’t take a huge gesture to have a big impact on someone’s life.
In fact, many commenters on his story have been inspired to pay it forward after hearing about his actions.
“This young man is saving for a car, where do we help him out? We’re for giving him a hand up. God Bless him and his parents,” wrote a viewer.
A reward for kindness
While Jordan never asked for anyone to step in and help him out, people felt called to do so.
His mom set up a GoFundMe, which raised $3,345 of a $3,000 goal to help him achieve his dreams of going to college and getting a car.
Covington Independent Public Schools recently posted on their Facebook page that their former student had also received recognition from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.
They gifted Teo with a $1,000 savings account on March 30, 2021, to help with his college expenses.
While his sights are set on the University of Kentucky, the pandemic has paused them for now. But he’s still planning to attend college as soon as he can.
Be sure to scroll down below to see an interview with Teo Jordan.
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