A community in Raleigh, North Carolina is banding together to help a man in need. Their compassion and camaraderie are admirable, and this story is sure to leave a mark on your heart.
Victor King is a 30-year old man who is trying his best to provide for his family — but in trying to do so, he ended up in jail.
King’s wife was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer — he was the sole provider for his sick wife and five children. He was recently arrested for leaving his five children at home unattended.
All of his children are under age of eight and King says that he did not leave his kids unattended. King says that he left his children in the care of a neighbor and it’s the neighbor who left them alone.
A judge set the dad’s bail at $25,000 due to a past conviction from 2011 on his record.
However, a woman in the community got wind of King’s story and could care less about his prior conviction. All she saw was a dad doing the best that he could to provide for his family in a time of need.
She saw this as a perfect opportunity to spread some much-needed kindness and compassion.
Even though she didn’t know Victor King, a woman named Rikki Hilliard set up a GoFundMe page to assist him and his family.
“We just need to help support this man who is working so hard. As a divorced single parent, it’s beyond tough managing home and work,” Rikki Hilliard wrote on the fundraiser’s page. “It takes a village to raise a child. Please let this man know that his efforts are not in vain.”
Hilliard was able to finally talk to King on the phone after news of the fundraiser started to spread. She says that he was very grateful for the selfless act.
People from all over the country donated to help the man reunite with his family.
King’s sister issued a statement to the local news station.
“Words cannot express the family’s gratitude and appreciation for all of the wonderful thoughts and emails, kind words of encouragement, and generous donations during this difficult time. We are amazed with the outpouring of love, support and prayers coming from so many people we’ve never met. Thank you for your willingness to assist in any way that you can,” wrote S. Simpson.
It was because of the recent events in Charlottesville that Hilliard decided to help out a community member whom she’d never met.
“After Charlottesville, I was really saddened and I felt really bad about the world and I wanted to create some good. And my heart is definitely warmed by the thought of that many people across the country who’ve been touched by helping this family out,” she said.
Hilliard’s GoFundMe account has since been removed but King has set up his own to help assist his family with medical and living costs.
The compassion that this community has shown is hopefully contagious. The news footage of King’s story is below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
