Giving Tuesday may have passed, but one homeless man is embracing his new role as a philanthropist after an inspiring act earned him hundreds of thousands of donated dollars.
Johnny Bobbitt, Jr., a former paramedic experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia, came to the aid of Kate McClure when her car ran out of gas on a strip of highway. Bobbitt walked two miles to the nearest gas station, used his last $20 to buy gas and delivered the fuel to McClure.
Instead of simply paying Bobbitt back, McClure shared the story and established a GoFundMe page that quickly went viral. Less than three weeks later, the fund has raised nearly $400,000 from 14,000 individuals inspired by the Good Samaritan act.
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But the $20 he used to fill McClure’s gas tank was just the beginning of Bobbitt’s giving. He recently pledged to contribute a portion of the funds to help out others in need.
“This money was given to help me,” Bobbit told Good Morning America. “Why not help other people in similar situations or people that are actively helping other people in different situations?
Donations for homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr hit $239k via /r/UpliftingNews https://t.co/OCdVdVdZkBpic.twitter.com/mAQ5YzQeTZ
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There are plenty of people who could benefit in the Philadelphia area. For example, the city’s most recent point-in-time homeless count identified 5,693 homeless individuals, including 1,508 children. More than 950 people were living on the streets in January.
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According to an update on the GoFundMe page, Bobbitt will specifically donate money to organizations and individuals who “have helped him get through this rough patch in his life.”
“Everybody out there is facing some kind of struggle, so if I can touch their life, the way mine was touched, [it would be] an amazing feeling,” Bobbitt told Good Morning America. “I want to feel the feeling on the opposite end.”
Read more: Bride Who Canceled Her $30K Wedding Donated the Entire Reception to the Homeless
In addition to the donation, Bobbitt will also establish a trust fund and purchase a home along with his “dream truck” — a 1999 Ford Ranger.
Global Citizen campaigns on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals including goal number 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, which calls for “access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.” You can take action here.