It’s not every day you see someone with an armful of coats at Goodwill and wonder, “What’s their story?” But for one shopper in Canton, Ohio, that’s exactly what happened.
He spotted a teenager carrying six winter coats, all bundled up and ready for checkout. It wasn’t the quantity of coats that caught his attention—it was the teenager’s calm determination that sparked curiosity. So, the shopper decided to ask, “Why so many coats?”
What the teen shared was more powerful than anyone could have imagined.
He wasn’t buying the coats for himself. In fact, he didn’t plan to wear even one of them. Instead, he was buying them for the homeless.
The shopper, moved by the teen’s explanation, couldn’t let the moment pass unnoticed. He snapped a photo of the young man and shared the story with his daughter, Haley Stewart, who later posted it on Facebook. Haley’s heartfelt message summed up what many were feeling:
“We don’t know who you are, Sir, but you deserve recognition! Keep being an amazing person! My dad snapped his photo after asking about the coats, and it really touched his heart. We need more people like him in this world.”
The photo quickly went viral, and soon the world learned the teen’s identity: 19-year-old Fredrick White. But Fredrick’s story didn’t stop there.
Inspired by a Facebook idea where people hung coats on posts for the homeless to take, Fredrick decided to take action. He didn’t just stop at coats either—he later returned to buy gloves and hats.
Fredrick credits the United Way’s Get Connected program for motivating him to give back to his community. Speaking with WKYC News, he shared a simple but profound philosophy:
“One good deed for each person. Just wake up and do something different.”
Fredrick’s kindness didn’t go unnoticed by Goodwill, either. As a token of appreciation, they gifted him a $200 store card, though it’s safe to say his impact is worth far more.
Stories like Fredrick’s remind us of the power of small acts of kindness. His thoughtful gesture not only kept people warm—it warmed hearts everywhere.
So, what’s stopping the rest of us? Maybe it’s time we all “wake up and do something different.” Share this story and let Fredrick’s generosity inspire someone you know today!
