An Arizona teen gave an elderly stranger his shoes, learnt he had lost his wife, then launched a GoFundMe that raised $25,000 | World News

An act of kindness outside a pharmacy in Maricopa, Arizona, turned into a community effort to support an elderly man grieving the loss of his wife. Jordan Hope, an 18-year-old, gave his shoes to a stranger whose footwear was falling apart. During their conversation, Hope learnt that the man, known publicly as Mr Roy, had lost his wife about two weeks earlier. He went on to buy him candy, arrange lunch, help him get home and stay in touch by phone. Hope later launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Mr Roy’s essential expenses, and the fundraiser raised around $25,000.

Arizona teen’s act of kindness began with a pair of shoes

Hope was driving to a bank to deposit money when he noticed Mr Roy outside a Walgreens near John Wayne Parkway and Smith-Enke Road in Maricopa. The older man’s shoes were badly worn and barely stayed on his feet, prompting Hope to give him the shoes he was wearing. A bystander, Yareli Madrid, recorded the encounter and shared the video on Facebook. Hope initially drove away but later returned and found Mr Roy inside the store trying to buy candy, which he paid for. During their conversation, Hope learnt that the man had lost his wife about two weeks earlier. He offered to take Mr Roy to Culver’s for lunch, but the older man’s swollen legs made it difficult for him to get into Hope’s car. Hope arranged a rideshare, met him at the restaurant, picked up the food and followed him home. He stayed to talk and subsequently began checking on Mr Roy by phone, believing the older man needed a friend during a difficult period.

GoFundMe campaign raises $25,000 for Mr Roy

Hope launched a GoFundMe campaign titled Care for Mr. Roy in His Time of Need on October 7 to help cover groceries, medicines, transportation and other essential expenses. The fundraiser gained attention after the video of the encounter circulated online, attracting donations from people moved by the story. It eventually raised approximately $25,000, according to the updated fundraising figure provided for this article. Hope said he intended to surprise Mr Roy with the money collected. The campaign extended the support beyond the initial encounter, allowing donors to contribute towards the older man’s everyday needs as he dealt with bereavement. What began with a pair of shoes thus grew into a wider effort to help him manage practical expenses during a challenging time.

Why Jordan Hope decided to help

Hope, a recent high-school graduate, runs a computer-building business serving Maricopa and Casa Grande. He has attributed his decision to help to his Christian faith, his parents and his youth pastor. According to local reporting, he had no idea the encounter had been filmed and learnt about the video after his grandmother shared it in the family group chat the following day. The attention brought his actions to a wider audience, but the encounter itself began without a planned publicity campaign. Hope’s response developed as he learnt more about Mr Roy’s circumstances, turning a brief meeting into continued contact and a fundraising effort.