When Kate McClure’s car ran out of petrol on a Philadelphia highway last month, a homeless man named Johnny Bobbitt Jr. came to her aid.
“I never ran out of gas before, and my heart was beating out of my chest. I pulled over as far as I could, and got out of the car to head to the nearest gas station,” McClure writes on GoFundMe.
“That’s when I met Johnny. Johnny sits on the side of the road every day, holding a sign. He saw me pull over and knew something was wrong. He told me to get back in the car and lock the doors,” aware that the area was unsafe.
"A few minutes later, he comes back with a red gas can. Using his last 20 dollars to make sure I could get home safe," she wrote.
At the time, 27-year-old McClure did not have the cash to repay him, but returned several times to bring him clothes, food or money.
She then decided to do something more, desperately wanting to held him find accommodation.
McClure set up a GoFundMe page which outlined Bobbitt's act of kindness.
"He is very interested in finding a job, and I believe that with a place to be able to clean up every night and get a good night’s rest, his life can get back to being normal," she said.
"Please help this man get into a home. It is already getting so cold out in Philadelphia, and I can’t imagine what it will be like to be out there all winter."
The online fundraiser has since raised more than AU$152,000, thanks to thousands of contributors.
"I truly believe that all Johnny needs is one little break. Hopefully with your help I can be the one to give it to him."
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Top Comments
Johnny Bobbitt Jr. shows us what humanity is - a corrupt capitalistic society discards it's perceived lesser counterparts, relegating them to begging on the street - rising above his own unjust circumstance to help a stranger who he could see needed help. She didn't need to beg. She didn't even have to ask. Thank you Kate McClure for being so kind to return the kindness