One good deed at the right time, in the right place, can end up changing the world. Seriously, if you're feeling blue then all it takes is a genuine example of altruism to make you feel 100 per cent better again, and the prevalence of social media means that sharing tales of good will and charity has never been easier for people.
If you want an example of this kind of phenomenon, then look no further than the case of employee-of-the-decade Jordan Taylor, a Baton Rouge grocery store shelf-stacker with a heart of gold. Recently, when Sid Edwards and his autistic son Jack Ryan Edwards, aged 17, came to the Rouses Market where Taylor worked.
Jack Ryan seemed to take an interest in Taylor, who was stocking refrigerator shelves. Sensing that the teen wanted to help him stack, Taylor asked Jack Ryan if he wanted to join him in the work. They soon set to work together. Edwards filmed the heartwarming scene and sent it to the rest of the Edwards family.
His daughter then uploaded the footage to Facebook, where it promptly went viral, accruing over 10,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments, with many viewers praising Taylor for letting Jack Ryan help out. She captioned the video "He could have ignored him. He could have made an excuse and said he couldn't allow him to help. Instead, he let him have his moment and in turn gave my family a moment we will never forget."
But, in a twist in the story, it seems like Taylor is going to be rewarded for his good dead after all. It seems as though so many viewers were impressed by Taylor's behaviour, that they decided to start up a GoFundMe campaign to pay to send him to college, and so far an army of generous benefactors has managed to raise a whopping $113,000.
The fundraising page states: "Jordan Taylor, an employee of a local supermarket, invited my little brother, Jack Ryan, to help him stock groceries. Jack Ryan, or 'Ziggy' as I call him, is diagnosed with autism and often becomes fixated on things. Jack Ryan was watching Jordan stock the coolers when Jordan asked Jack if he’d like to help."
"The smile on Jack’s face said all of the words that he couldn’t. Jack and Jordan stocked the coolers as a team, Jordan encouraging Jack Ryan as he finished each task. Jordan told me he loves math and would like to possibly be an educator someday. All I know is, whatever he decides to do he will excel! Thank you to Jordan for what you did for our Ziggy, we will never forget!"
Wow: I think I've got something in my eye ... not that I'm crying because of the heartwarming act. I'm just sad because I've remembered how big my student loan is. I really hope someone pays mine off...
