FAIRBURN, Ga -- This is a story about a random act of kindness that
is being paid forward by complete strangers. And it's a Christmas story.
Dana Feemster didn't know where to turn to for help this Christmas.
She didn't have any money to provide her two boys, Kuyler, age 6, and
Devin, age 3, a surprise Christmas morning. She called the Fairburn Police Department after being told to do so by someone at her church.
"It just blew me away how quickly they called me back," Feemster said. "I didn't expect to get a call back."
She received a call from Captain Randy Mundy, who asked her what her
sons wanted for Christmas. "Like any good red blooded American boys they
like monster trucks and they like Spiderman and candy canes," Capt.
Mundy said.
It's not something police officers are required to do but Captain
Mundy said he couldn't't resist. "We never have a problem getting help
from the firemen and the policemen whenever something like this comes
up," he said.
Capt. Mundy and Lt. Toney Williams took up a collection and went to
the Walmart in Peachtree City where they filled up a shopping cart full
of toys. When they got to the checkout counter, Melissa York was in line
in front of them.
York, who works for SMC3,
a transportation technology software company in Peachtree City, said
she just received a generous bonus from her boss. She thought of a way
to spend it. "I thought ya'll are donating those aren't you? And he
(Capt. Mundy) said yeah, and I looked over at the cashier and I said
'I've got this'," she said.
Mundy said he was awestruck. "I reached to open up our donation
envelope and Melissa reached over and said, 'excuse me officer, I got
this' and she ran her card," he said.
Mundy couldn't't think of a way to thank her so he posted the story on the police department's Facebook page. The story spread quickly and thousands of people "liked" it.
Dana Feemster said she never realized what she started and was blown
away by the reaction to her request for help and York's payment. "I know
God will bless her for blessing me like that, He will bless her," she
said.
"In public safety we see people at their worst and when you have the
opportunity to meet somebody like Melissa, it reminds you that there's
still a lot of good in the world," Capt. Mundy said.
York said she was hesitant to talk about her act of kindness. "I
really wanted to stay anonymous," she said. "But if this can help others
pass it on and pay it forward, I'll do it."
Apparently it did help encourage others. Captain Mundy was
interviewed at his home in Sharpsburg because he had a plumber at his
house and couldn't't leave. Mundy said the plumber from Hammond Services in Griffin overheard the interview and was so moved by it, he didn't charge him for the job at his house.
WXIA