Sometimes all we need is someone to be kind. After all, it costs nothing to help someone out. Empathy is free, and it is something we all can afford. And for one TikToker, kindness was his first thought for a coworker. Devan Bonagura, a 19-year-old who works with a company selling products at a Walmart in New Jersey, recently uploaded a video to his account.
Titled, “Life shouldn’t be this hard. I feel bad,” the 15-second video quickly went viral, racking up more than 30 million views and making his co-worker a viral star. And it all started with Bonagura visiting the break room.
Bonagura immediately noticed an elderly woman by herself at another table. She wore her Walmart uniform and name tag, and sat tiredly in her chair. But that moment for 81-year-old Nola Carpenter would lead the young man to launch a plan to help her retire.
Unsure of what response his video would get after posting it, he found himself shocked when it started garnering massive views and comments. As people pointed out, starting a GoFundMe for Carpenter could be the way to help her.
Nola Carpenter was recently helped by a coworker who used TikTok to help her retire from work.
And it worked. Within 24 hours, Bonagura had raised more than $100,000 for Carpenter. Days later, he posted a video, showing him meeting with the shocked woman.
They saw that you’re a very hard worker, obviously. We are all super proud of you, and we wanted to offer you the $110,000 that has been raised for you.”
Carpenter said she would take the money, but surprised Bonagura by stating that she would continue working to earn another $60,000 to pay off her mortgage. She said she didn’t think it would take long to pay off her mortgage. “That’s what’s holding me at work – the house,” she said.
According to Insider, the average employee at Walmart earns $19 per hour. That would mean Carpenter would have to work a few additional years to raise enough money for retirement.
@dbon973 :/ I feel bad. #fyp #blowthisup #sad #walmart ♬ Jocelyn Flores – XXXTENTACION
A few days after transferring the funds to Carpenter, Bonagura released a video, showing Carpenter’s grateful reaction. And as soon as that video hit, the GoFundMe amount jumped to more than $186,000. More than 13,500 people chose to spread kindness and had donated.
Carpenter told Bonagura she was “ecstatic” and thanked everyone for helping her make her dream of retiring come true. “That’s what I was working at Walmart for — to pay my house off,” she explained.
Again, Carpenter surprised everyone by explaining that should wait until after the holidays to retire. “I’m going to help them out for the holidays, and after that, it’ll be good to stay at home.” One unexpected twist for Bonagura — Walmart made it known it didn’t appreciate the bad press they were getting because of the video.
“They’re getting a lot of backlash, so they told me I need to delete the video and delete the fundraising page and return all the money to the people that donated it or they’re going to get the cops involved,” he said in a video.
Bonagura didn’t back down, “So, I told them to do what you have to do because I’m getting this money to this woman one way or another,” he added. Carpenter chimed in, expressing her gratitude for Bonagura. “I just want to make sure that you do good and you get what you want and I’m hoping it works that way.”
Sources: MyPositiveOutlooks ⎸Insider
