First responders have one of the toughest jobs there are. What they do for their communities is priceless, and we should be very thankful for their dedication and hard work.
After battling an intense fire at a warehouse in North Brunswick, New Jersey, for over 12 hours, firefighters Paul Hulling and Tim Young needed to take some rest and have something to eat, so they stopped by Route 130 Diner. There, they talked about their day, and the waitress who served them, Liz Woodward, overheard their conversation.
When they were about to leave the place, instead of a receipt, Liz handed them a handwritten note that read, ”Your breakfast is on me today. Thank you for all that you do, for serving us, and for running into the places everyone runs away from. No matter your role, you are courageous, brave, and strong. Thank you for being bold every day.”
This kind gesture warmed the firefighters’ hearts. Hulling was so touched that he even started to cry. Liz’s act showed that someone appreciated their work, and that meant the world to them.
They were very grateful, but gratitude wasn’t the only thing they offered. On the contrary, Young decided to share the note on Facebook and called his friends to visit Route 130 Diner if they had a chance and tip Liz, who happens to be their waitress.
Besides that, they learned that Liz had started a GoFundMe page in order to help her wheelchair-bound father. As it turned out, he was left paralyzed by a brain aneurysm, and she was doing all in her power to gather money for a wheelchair-accessible van.
”He needs access to the outside world. He needs to see the world outside his hospital bed,” Liz wrote in the description of the fundraiser. Her initial goal was to raise $17,000, but after Hulling and Young spread the word, she managed to raise over $86,500.
”I don’t even know what to say to that,” Liz said, as tears of joy were rolling down her face. “That’s incredible—what a way to wake up today. I had no idea today was going to go like this.”
She posted an update on GoFundMe that read, “Our family has witnessed an outpouring of love and support from around the world, and I want to thank each and every one of you beautiful human beings for making this dream possible!”
Speaking of the incredible experience and her act of kindness, which went a long way, Liz told WPVI, ”All I did was pay for their breakfast, and I didn’t think anything would come about it except they would leave with a smile.”
For more on the story, go to the video below. It’s inspiring, isn’t it?
