Here's a story to make you feel good this Monday. Last week, Canadian news outlet q13fox reported that a 60 year old homeless man (whose has chosen to remain anonymous) in Langford, British Columbia returned $2,400 of missing money to members of The Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The police station said this in their official press release regarding the incident:
This is an incredible display of honesty and selflessness, states Cst. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson of the West Shore RCMP. "If we are not successful in identifying the rightful owner within 90 days, this good Samaritan will receive the cash."
The man's act of kindness generated quite a bit of media buzz so much so that some people on the internet wanted to reach out and reward him for doing the right thing. Mike Kelly of Victoria Buzz, another local news outlet, spearheaded the movement. After hearing of the news, Kelly quickly started an online crowd funding campaign on gofundme.com with the hopes of collecting $2,400 to reward the man anyway. The outpouring from the internet was immense and resulted in a haul of $5,316, nearly double what the Good Samaritan turned in to the police.
What's even more amazing is the man's response to the reward. Instead of asking how to collect the $5,000 that was raised for him, the man asked that the money be donated to local food providers and shelters. Constable Alex Berube, The police officer who tracked the man down, had this to say:
"His response surprised me yet again, when instead of asking how to collect it, he asked me how to donate it to Our Place and other food service providers for people in need,"
The man said that all he wants is a job so he can provide for himself. A truly heart warming tale.
