In a world often dominated by negative news, Wyatt’s story of compassion and the subsequent outpouring of support restores our faith in humanity. It reminds us that acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to follow suit and fostering a sense of community and connection.
A young mother of three from Waynesville, Ohio broke down in tears when she realized she had left her purse in the McDonald’s window. On the other hand, the family did not go without food. Read how a teenage McDonald’s employee paid for a crying mother and her children’s food without hesitation.
Dinner for the family of a McDonald’s employee is paid for.
The mother of three went about her normal day, taking the children to their younger brother’s soccer practice before returning home for dinner. While some days have smiling faces and well-rested children, on this day Brittney Reed had at least one sad and unhappy 4-year-old in tow. Other days bring happy faces and rested children. She decided to order McDonald’s instead when the other child started crying when she told them what was ready for dinner.
“My 4-year-old started crying and acting crazy when I was driving home from soccer practice with my three kids,” said Brittney Reed.
Then when I told my 7-year-old daughter that dinner would consist of red potatoes, she screamed. She obviously wasn’t a fan, so I gave up and yelled, “FORGET IT!” McDonald’s is tonight!
Unfortunately, when Reed arrived at the drive-through window to pay, all three children were sobbing. As she went to get her purse, she realized that she had left it at home because she hadn’t expected them to go out to eat that evening. Her children weren’t the only ones sobbing anymore. The adolescent at the window received an apology from his sobbing mother.
She said, “Hun, I’m really sorry.” The order will need to be canceled. I left my purse at home when we went to the football in the evening.
But what she expected was not his reaction. Without stopping, a young McDonald’s employee settles a bereaved mother’s payment with a card from his own wallet.
Before she could say she was going to go home, get her purse and then come back and place another order, Reed claimed he had already paid. And it seems he was very happy about it.
A McDonald’s employee commented, “No, it’s fine and it’s my pleasure!”
Reed claims he even tried to convince her not to bring money to pay.
She was so affected that she took out her phone, took a picture, and asked the man’s name.
She wrote about the incident on Love What Matters.
Reed told this heartwarming story in part so his parents could learn about him and see his generosity and compassion. But McDonald’s employee Wyatt Jones doesn’t seem to have paid to acknowledge the grieving mother. He didn’t even tell his parents what happened before they found out.
Wyatt couldn’t be more comfortable being nice to Reed’s family when a McDonald’s employee pays for their dinner. Brittney said the children crying in the car was only a small part of the family’s problems.
Their daughter had just been unwell, and while their daughter was in the hospital, their friends raised money to cover the cost of a hotel while they stayed nearby.
“Being on the receiving end of the charity has been a BLESSING for my family,” Reed said. “Wyatt stopped me dead in my tracks. Recently, our friends organized a fundraiser to help cover the costs of our daughter’s upcoming hospital stay. I realize how humbling it can be to receive sympathy, but this touched me in a different way. This young man felt compelled to pay for our lunch that day even though he had no idea what our “story” was about. He pulled out his wallet WITHOUT HESITATION just because he was trying to be polite.
This motivated them to start a GoFundMe fundraising effort for Wyatt. They discovered he had been saving up for a vehicle when they finally got in touch with his mother and got her back in order before sharing the story online. At this time, 2.8 thousand donations ranging from $5 to $1053 have been made! Wyatt was able to get a $50,000 donation from Brittney and her husband!
Wyatt used the funds to purchase a vehicle and began saving for college.
Donors gave Wyatt well wishes and messages of support.
One McDonald’s employee donor who pays for the lunch table said, “The Lord brought me to this post, it was no accident.” After reading it, I began to cry tears of joy and the Holy Spirit inspired me to donate. There are wonderful people on this earth and I think God is saying, “Give and it will be measured out to you until you overflow.” The donor then prayed for Wyatt’s future.
The story of Wyatt’s generosity serves as a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on people’s lives. It encourages us to look for opportunities to spread compassion and lend a helping hand because we never know what a profound impact it could have on someone’s day or even their future.
The chain of generosity that began with Wyatt’s act of kindness shows the inherent goodness in humanity. It highlights the potential we all have to create positive change and make a difference in the lives of others, regardless of our age or circumstances.
Ultimately, the story of a teenage McDonald’s employee’s selfless act of paying for her meal goes beyond a single act. It reminds us of the power of empathy, compassion, and the lasting impact of a kind gesture. May it serve as a testimony to the goodness that lies within each of us and inspire us to spread kindness in our own lives.