Homeless Man Who Returned $2,400 to Police Decides to Give Back Even More

July 2, 2015

A homeless man in Langford, Canada is warming hearts after a series of events exposed just how selfless and thoughtful he really is.

The man, who asked police not to be identified, was brought to the public’s attention after he turned in $2,400 he found on the street to the local police. The owner of the money was found, but the man’s honesty pushed Mike Kelly of Victoria Buzz to start a fundraising campaign for him on Go Fund Me.

Now on day 16 of the campaign, the good samaritans have crowdfunded $5,316, more than double the initial goal of $2,400.

All that was left to do was to find the anonymous man to let him know people had joined together to help him. Constable Alex Bérubé of the West Shore Royal Canadian Mounted Police explained the case in a RCMP news release:

“After hearing this story and seeing how this case touched so many people, I took a personal interest in finding this man, looking for him everywhere while on and off shift.

“It’s not easy tracking down a person of no fixed address and no phone, but I kept trying because I needed to tell him about how the community had rallied together to help him. I finally caught up to him on Monday (June 22) and told him about the fundraising organized by Mike Kelly of Victoria Buzz, and that he had thousands of dollars waiting for him.”

But the man’s response surprised Bérubé, particularly his selflessness.

“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.”

Police didn’t take his final answer right away and instead told him to think about the over $5,000 that was raised for him and come back the next day. When the man returned, he still insisted that the money be given to others in need but he did ask for one thing for himself — a job. He wrote down his final wishes for the money on paper.

Now, according to the RCMP release, the unidentified man will get his wish for the money to help others and now the internet is trying to find a job for the man:

“Mike Kelly has been advised of the man’s decision, which he provided in writing to officers. Mike will continue to manage the raised funds and see that the right groups receive them. As for the man’s request for help finding a job, Mike is spearheading that effort as well.”

If the nameless man has shown us anything, it’s that we are all capable of giving so much more than we have. Of course, the world always has its own way of giving back.

Source: Q13Fox

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