When we were young, we were taught the value of helping others who may not be as fortunate as us. Being kind and making a difference in someone’s life should be a normal part of our lives today. Unfortunately, it seems that the act of giving to others, especially when we have more than enough, is becoming less common as time goes on.
But thankfully, there are still individuals who believe in the power of generosity and going the extra mile to help those in need. Sometimes, we come across heartwarming stories that remind us of how wonderful it is to do something truly special for someone we’ve never even met.
One such story involves an incredible woman named Nola Carpenter. Nola is turning 82 this month and has been working at her local Walmart for over two decades. Her daughter revealed that Nola had dedicated her time to the store, even at her age.
That’s when a man named Devan Bonagura from New Jersey noticed Nola working at the Walmart store he frequented. Devan couldn’t understand why an 81-year-old lady like Nola was still working instead of enjoying her retirement. Determined to make a difference, Devan took action, and his compassionate act soon gained popularity on the internet.
Devan started by sharing a short video on TikTok. In just 15 seconds, the video showed Nola in the break room during her work shift. The video struck a chord with many people. As of November 28, it garnered an incredible 30.8 million views and over 4.6 million reactions. People were moved by Nola’s story and couldn’t believe she was still working at her age.
Fueled by the overwhelming response, Devan felt compelled to do more for Nola. He discovered that Nola was working to save money and pay off her mortgage, earning between $17 and $19 per hour. Inspired to help her achieve a debt-free retirement, Devan decided to start a fundraiser called “Let’s Help Nola Retire.” The caption read, “Nola works at Walmart, and that says enough. Let’s all come together and help.”
To Devan’s surprise, the store management asked him to remove both the video and the fundraiser, arguing that it was negatively impacting their business. They even threatened to involve the police. However, Devan stood his ground, declaring, “I told them to do what they had to do because I’m determined to get this money to Nola one way or another.”
Fast forward to November 5, Devan surprised Nola with a visit and had a heartwarming conversation with her. He then deposited $110,000 from the fundraiser into her account. When Nola mentioned that she still needed $60,000 to completely pay off her mortgage, Devan decided to keep the GoFundMe page active until they reached a whopping total of over $186,000.
Nola, the 81-year-old Walmart employee, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I feel good, and I’m thankful for Devan for what he’s done. None of this would have been possible without him.” Finally, with the money she received, Nola can now retire with peace of mind.
While Nola admitted feeling a bit sad about not being able to see her regular customers anymore, she shared that she would continue working during the upcoming holiday season. Her plan is to retire at the beginning of 2023.
We can’t help but be inspired by Devan’s incredible act of kindness. Thanks to him, Nola can now live out her retirement years without financial worries. Let’s celebrate the power of generosity and continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
