The goodwill of total strangers can often get us out of a hard situation or even completely transform our day, which is why it’s so important to acknowledge these everyday acts of kindness.
This is what mum-of-two Katy Leigh decided to do recently, after employees at a shoe store came to her aid and purchased shoes and socks for her children when she couldn’t afford to.
In a Facebook post shared to the Payless store’s official account, Katy explained how she headed to the shop to purchase boots for two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Ava and 10-month-old son Andrew. With a harsh winter playing out at home, these were necessities - but a ‘strict’ budget meant that she couldn’t afford to be choosy, as she told the two female employees.
Hi Payless, I stopped in your Old Saybrook, CT store today to get shoes for my 2 1/2year old daughter Ava and son...
Posted by Katy Leigh on Thursday, January 21, 2016
“I said I had a strict $30 budget, and they measured the kids. We chatted about Ava's love for Frozen, their kids, injuries; and my daughter’s recent challenging medical history came up, and I said I was nervously waiting for some important test results, and it was all I could think about,” she recalled.
When Ava chose a pair of Frozen-themed boots for $44, Katy grew uncomfortable – they were way beyond her budget. However, the two employees were determined that Ava would have her boots of choice.
An emotional Katy wrote: “I became pretty tearful as the ladies began putting their heads together about coupons and how to get the price down, and I said I could come back tomorrow and get Andy’s also. We put the boots on the counter as they assured me I'd be able to get Ava's at least.”
The two women then proceeded to pick out socks for both children and amazed Katy as they told her they were going to pay for the shoes and the socks for both of them, so that she could use her money to purchase food and other necessities for the family.
“I have been pretty down lately, and this act of kindness is so amazing and uplifting to me. I am so grateful and wanted to say a big thank you and hope you have some sort of employee recognition program,” finished a clearly overwhelmed Katy.
The world needs more people like these wonderful women. We’re thinking of Katy and her family, and we hope it will be positive news for little Ava.
