Kindness creates ripples.
A person who does one random act of kindness toward others can spark change and inspiration in those on the receiving end or those who witnessed the act.
Who wouldn’t be moved when you see someone doing good to others, right?
It’s more heartwarming to witness this among the youth.
We always say that the youth is the hope of our land, and despite the older generation’s negative image of them, many teenagers practice kindness and gratitude.
When we see these children, we can say, “the kids are alright,” and this story shows that.
Three students from Callisburg High School showed kindness like no other.
Students came to school this term and thought it’d be the same; same school, same faces.
But they noticed a new one – their school custodian or janitor. He stood out among the rest because… well… he’s 80.
Mr. James Gailey has recently gotten out of retirement to pay his bills.
He said that his rent had increased and he couldn’t afford it anymore, so he did the one thing most people do when they need money: he got a job to get paid.
He worked quietly along the halls of the high school and simply did his job. Most students would pass him by, except for three students.
Banner Tidwell, Marti Yousko, and Greyson Thurman knew Mr. James shouldn’t be there.
“It’s just so sad seeing an 80-year-old man having to do things an 80-year-old shouldn’t have to do,” Banner said in an interview with KHOU11 News.
She was right. Mr. James shouldn’t be working anymore and should enjoy his retirement.
She tapped two of her friends, Marti and Greyson, and they harnessed social media’s power to devise a plan.
Greyson created a TikTok video to call for donations.
@grey.thurman Go fund me is in the bio! My classmates and I hate seeing Mr. James here, no one his age should have to be cleaning our messes up to continue to live. #fyp#school#gofundme#fy#mrjames ♬ snowfall – Øneheart & reidenshi
He created a GoFundMe page for Mr. James so he could continue a peaceful and stress-free retirement, just like before he worked as a custodian at Callisburg High.
He linked the fundraising page in his TikTok video, and with 2,000 plus followers… bam! The campaign blew!
Their original target was $10,000, which they reached in only 12 hours.
Despite reaching their goal, Greyson opened the GoFundMe page for donations to gather more funds which could help Mr. James longer in his retirement.
They raised their goal, and more contributions came in.
They raised a total of $270,905 by the end of their campaign!
The three students did not expect they could gather that much money and were thankful to those who donated.
The donations first came from the students, then spread to most of Callisburg.
By then, more teachers, parents, and other community members. The ripple and act of kindness could make.
Callisburg High School Principal Jason Hooper was undoubtedly proud of his students.
“It’s just amazing, you know, of the need that was met because of three kind kids, but of all of our students who have pitched in to help that need,” he told KHOU11 News.
Banner, Marti, and Greyson have turned over the money to Mr. James and thanked everyone who donated, saying: “You all have made a huge impact on him that will forever change his life.”
Pretty sure Mr. James will enjoy his retirement now.
Watch the videos below for the full story of this heartwarming journey, and remember to always be kind!
