It’s not every day that someone wins a prize and decides to give it all away. But that’s exactly what happened to Sofia Andrade, a woman from Massachusetts who won $200 on a scratch-off lottery ticket. Her reaction to the win was not what anyone would expect.
As Andrade was sitting at a stop sign in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she scratched her lottery ticket and saw that she had won $200. But as soon as she looked up, she saw Glenn Williams, a man who had been homeless for three years, panhandling in the cold.
Without hesitation, Andrade knew what she had to do. “I knew that the money never really belonged to me,” Andrade said. “This money was meant to help him.”
She called Williams over to her car and asked him if he wanted to go to Dunkin Donuts with her to buy him a coffee. He was overwhelmed with gratitude and couldn’t stop crying at the generosity of the gesture.
During their conversation, Andrade learned that Williams had been living on the streets because there was no room for him at any local homeless shelters. She knew that she had to do more to help him. So she used the rest of her winnings to pay for a motel room for Williams for two nights.
“I couldn’t believe there’s somebody like her,” Williams said. “She deserves a lot of credit for where I am right now.”
Andrade shared her story on Facebook and soon received messages from people who wanted to help Williams. So she started a GoFundMe campaign to “help give Glenn a second chance.” A local barber offered to give Williams a free haircut and others in the community donated goods and services to help him out.
“There’s a lot of good people in this world,” Williams said. “I’m overwhelmed with all the help, and I just want to thank everybody.”
This story is a reminder that a small act of kindness can have a huge impact. Andrade’s selfless act has inspired others to help, and together, they have made a difference in Williams‘ life. It’s proof that there are still good people in the world who are willing to help those in need.
As one Facebook commenter said, “Her kindness is so enlightening. Having been in a homeless shelter after losing everything to poor choices, I can appreciate what she did. Like it was said to me, not everyone is looking for a handout, but a handup.” And another wrote, “The goodness in this woman would put most others to shame. Her generous heart is something of great beauty. May God bless her abundantly.”
Sofia Andrade’s actions show us that we can all make a difference in someone’s life, no matter how small the gesture may seem. So let’s take her lead and spread kindness wherever we go.
Sources: OpposingViews, WCVB, WFXT