We all learned as children to help those who are less fortunate than us. Doing kind acts and making a difference in others’ lives should be a part of our society. Unfortunately, the idea of charity and giving has become less prevalent over the years. However, there are still stories that remind us of the beauty of going above and beyond for strangers in need.
One such story is about Devan Bonagura from New Jersey, who noticed an older woman who worked at his local Walmart store. Despite her advanced age, she was still working instead of enjoying her retirement. This struck a chord with Devan, and he decided to lend a helping hand that would touch the hearts of people all over the internet.
Devan shared a short 15-second video on TikTok, showing the 81-year-old woman, Nola Carpenter, sitting in the break room during her shift at Walmart. The video quickly went viral and received millions of views and reactions. People sympathized with Nola and were shocked that she was still working at her age.
Upon learning that Nola was working to pay off her mortgage on a wage of only $17-$19 an hour, Devan started a fundraiser titled “Let’s Help Nola Retire.” The store manager, however, demanded that Devan delete the video and fundraiser, claiming it was threatening his business. But Devan stood his ground and refused to give up.
In a heartwarming video posted on November 5, Devan surprised Nola with a visit and transferred $110,000 raised through the fundraiser into her account. But Devan didn’t stop there. When Nola mentioned needing an additional $60,000 to pay off her mortgage, Devan decided to keep the GoFundMe page active until it reached a total of over $186,000.
Now, Nola can finally retire and enjoy her well-deserved peace. She expressed her gratitude towards Devan, saying, “I’m thankful for Devan for what he’s done, or none of this would have been possible.” Nola plans to continue working during the upcoming holiday season but will retire at the beginning of 2023.
Devan’s act of kindness is truly inspirational. We are delighted that Nola no longer has to worry about working and can enjoy her retirement. Let’s share this heartwarming story online to spread the positivity. The world needs more people like Devan.
