In a world where young people seem to be just short of narcissistic, it’s always nice to hear that some are different. That we shouldn’t paint all of them with the same wide brush.
Here is a story that will warm your heart and remind you that even the young amongst us understand the importance of being kind to others.
Then 19-year-old John Lopez, Jr., of Princeton, Texas had something of a reputation already. He worked as a cashier in the local Walmart, and according to a woman who often shops in the store he is known to be courteous, efficient, and upbeat.
A Kind Deed Doesn’t Go Unnoticed
Laci Simms, the woman mentioned above saw something that she felt was remarkable. And I think a lot of us would agree with her.
In a Facebook post that has since been removed or marked private, Simms shares what so impressed her.
“I just witnessed this ‘kid’ pay for a cart of merchandise for a woman in obvious distress about her inability to pay. She was a few people ahead of us and when she had trouble paying her bill he stepped in and told her if she’d wait he would pay her total. Ya’ll, it was $110 dollars! He is always singing, upbeat, courteous, joyful and efficient. I don’t know John’s story, but I don’t think he is even 20 years old. He just renewed my faith in humanity and the generation we are raising! Everyone share this so the world knows what a blessing John is to our community!”
Walmart has a partial quote from her on their own Facebook page.
When interviewed by CBS DFW, Lopez says he didn’t expect anyone to notice what he did. That wasn’t his motivation.
He told the outlet what he makes typically goes into his savings but this time he wanted to give to someone in need.
“She started crying and I was like ‘okay I got you – I got you’,” John Lopez Jr. said. “I just felt in my heart that the lord told me I had to help her.”
Lopez says he was simply trying to behave in the way his parents taught him.
“My parents basically taught me if someone needs help, you should be able to help them and if someone is down, bring them up,” he told DFW. “I make it my goal to at least in one way make someone smile.”
He’s made a lot of people smile. And Laci Simms wasn’t the only one who was impressed by this young man.
The Community Gives Back
Simms’ original Facebook post went viral and was eventually noticed by Brandon Weddle who often shops at the local Walmart has been cashed out by Lopez.
When interviewed by InsideEdition, Weddle said,
“I’ve been through his line a couple of times, my wife has too, and we’ve spoken about him, how he touches people on a daily basis.”
After a discussion with his wife regarding the kindness Lopez had shown, they decided to do something about it.
The Weddle’s set up a GoFundMe for Lopez, who despite being willing to dip into his savings to help a woman in need, was trying to save for college. The initial goal for the GoFundMe was just $1,000, but within hours that was surpassed. At last count, the amount raised was just over $37,000.
Princeton Mayor John-Mark Caldwell also awarded Lopez with a certificate, while Police Chief James Waters presented him with a medallion.
I think Simms sums it all up quite nicely. She told InsideEdition:
“Seeing a stranger help another stranger is how we should act as humans. I really feel like the world would be a better place if we just helped others, just like John did. He helped without reservation and judgement!”
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