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Spreading kindness on Christmas Eve
With the holiday season in full swing, many are feeling the pressure to provide for their loved ones. But, one man in the Tampa Bay area is giving in a truly unexpected way.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A man in St. Petersburg made a big impact this Christmas Eve by giving back uniquely.
A post on Facebook offering help to those struggling with gifts or groceries led him to leave $4,000 in cash on his front lawn for anyone who needed it.
St. Petersburg Good Samaritan who gave away cash to families in need before Christmas.
Within minutes, cars lined the block as people came to take what they could.
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The man, who ended up giving away over $10,000, even sent money via Venmo to those who showed up after the cash was gone.
"I didn’t realize the response was going to be immediate, and the onslaught of people was striking," he said. "People just kept coming up, and I couldn’t say no."
The cash outside the St. Petersburg man's home is waiting for families in need to pick it up before Christmas.
The experience also helped him heal and connect with others this holiday season after losing his fiancée and partner of 27 years earlier this year.
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He said he knows many people are struggling financially, are struggling financially, and cannot put gifts under the tree for their kids.
"I lost somebody that I was with for 27 years," he said. "She took care of me."
"It was a way for me to try to connect and spread a little joy," he added.
He also put his phone number on Facebook, telling anyone they could just call him to chat this Christmas Eve if they were in a bad place. His message: kindness doesn’t have to be big, but it can make a difference.
The St. Petersburg man's Facebook post announced the money giveaway and provided his phone number.
"I'm just a dude that was able to help," he said. "If we’re all just trying to help a little bit, it doesn’t have to be much. That’s how we keep kindness in the world."
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