Not every day you find a young kid knocking on your door looking for some friends. And yet, a doorbell camera caught a heartbreaking moment when a desperate teen was doing exactly that. Luckily, little did he know what an unexpected turn his story would have and how much help and support he would eventually receive.
It all started when one sunny day a young boy approached his neighbor’s house and timidly knocked on the door. The boy asked a man living there whether he knew any children between the ages of 11 and 12 living around.
“I need some friends, like, really bad,” said the kid. And that was the least Brennan Ray, the house owner, unexpected to hear. “I could hear the innocence and vulnerability in his voice,” he said. “All I knew is that I wanted to help the kid.”
Ray directed the boy to a house down the road, where he knew two kids lived. But Shayden Walker, a boy in a Jaws T-shirt, said that he didn’t play with those kids because they were rude to him. “Well, um, they’re not my friends anymore,” he said and then asked if Ray had any children too.
Unfortunately for the kid, Ray had a two-year-old daughter. Though the boy himself was really happy to hear that. “Oh, OK that’s great,” he replied, hopefully. “I love two-year-olds to be honest, they’re just the cutest things I have ever known.” And told how he enjoyed playing with his younger sister when she was two.
Ray promised to say “hi” to the boy every time he would see him in town. “Ok, you have a good day,” said Shayden and walked away.
Only after that Ray rewatched the video and found out that the boy actually approached their house about a half hour earlier, but shied away. And still, he eventually found some courage to ring and ask for help a bit later. Ray couldn’t stop thinking about the poor boy long after that.
Ray and his wife decided to start a GoFundMe for the boy to help him get a dope gaming setup, some school clothes, and amusement park tickets. “Let’s come together and show him he’s got some friends,” they wrote on the website.
The fundraiser quickly netted more than $37,000 for the boy and his family when suddenly Shayden’s mom asked to stop donations. She said that they were not seeking any money and shared how their son enjoys playing his PlayStation and other games.
Anyway, huge support from people around the world helped the boy become a “totally different kid.” In another video Shayden himself said, “Y’all have touched my heart so much, it’s just literally to the point where I want to cry.”
Many people sent not only money but very warm cheer-ups to the kid. One comment said, “You are incredibly brave to be putting yourself out there and actively looking for friends instead of staying in the house.” One more said. “I have never wanted to hug a kid so bad in my life.”
Another person added, “This kid, like many, is special and just wants a place in this world... this family shared a memorable moment with the world, and it was beautiful!!! Our kids need genuine kindness.” Parents thanked all these people saying they were not expecting such a huge level of support.
The money people raised will remain in the GoFundMe until Shayden’s mom says otherwise. And we hope it will really help the kid one day, or they will donate it to other kids in a similar situation. Maybe after a while, they will use it on other good deeds this world needs so much.
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