“The guilty feeling never quite went away when the donation went from $15,000 to $1,500 — but it certainly has now. The online community more than covered for me and now I feel so proud of this whole story.” — a Reddit user, who asked to be referred to by only his first name, Michael, per Today.
In a heartwarming turn of events, a man's accidental donation of $15,000 to a charity on GoFundMe resulted in a viral story that garnered massive support from the online community. Redditor u/lazybear90 posted the story on the r/TIFU subreddit on May 26.
This unexpected journey showcases the power of social media and the generosity of strangers coming together for a good cause.
It all started when a California resident named Michael intended to donate $150 to a hunger charity managed by his Hindu priest neighbor for a community in Bangladesh. However, due to a typing error, Michael accidentally donated $15,000 instead.
Realizing his costly mistake, he contacted GoFundMe's customer support for a refund but was informed that it would take several business days to process.
Meanwhile, the charity's organizer became aware of the sudden influx of funds and sent Michael a video from Bangladesh, where impoverished and hungry people thanked him by name for his generous donation. Michael was both shocked and amused by the unexpected outcome of his error.
Upon receiving the refund of $15,000, Michael decided to donate $1,500 to the charity out of guilt and a desire to make amends. Little did he know that his Reddit post detailing the mishap would go viral, capturing the attention of thousands of people willing to contribute.
Moved by Michael's story, Reddit users and other online donors flocked to the charity's GoFundMe page, significantly boosting its funds. The story was also shared on popular platforms like YouTube, further amplifying the campaign's reach.
Donations poured in, and the charity experienced an outpouring of support from over 3,700 contributors, raising a staggering $118,000.
As a result of this unexpected windfall, the charity's organizer expressed gratitude in a GoFundMe update, stating that the newfound resources allowed them to expand their efforts and reach more people in need.
What started as a mistake turned into a transformative event for the charity, which had previously struggled financially.
Takeaway
This heartwarming story exemplifies the power of social media and the compassion of strangers. Michael's accidental donation sparked a chain reaction of support, demonstrating the inherent good in people and their willingness to help others in need.
It serves as a reminder that even a seemingly negative situation can lead to positive outcomes when communities come together. The viral success of this fundraising campaign offers hope and inspiration, showing the profound impact that individuals can have when united for a common cause.
Source:
https://www.today.com/food/news/man-accidentally-donates-15k-gofundme-rcna90363
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