Mikayla Gounard, 12, is repaying an act of kindness her 80-year-old grandma Evelyn Topper gave her. Evelyn discovered she had lost her wallet after picking up an order from Kamson Coffee for her and her granddaughter.
Sean Currey just so happened to be searching through the trash behind the coffee shop for food when the lost wallet was found. Despite friends’ suggestions to use credit cards, he ultimately made the decision to find the owner and return it in person.
Sean, who is currently living out of his car, and Evelyn met in a parking lot close to a shopping center. As an expression of her gratitude, Evelyn gave him some cash and told her granddaughter about the “Mitzvah” she had just completed.
Mikayla was celebrating her drive-by birthday and raising money for a good cause at the same time. Sean would be the recipient of the donation, she and her family agreed. A picture was put next to a money bowl with Sean’s permission to draw attention to the predicament.
At the end, Mikayla had been able to earn $475. Mikayla was happy to see Sean smile, and Sean was touched that someone so young was willing to help. But the family was still being asked how they could help.
Mikayla and her mom, Vanessa Topper, decided to launch a GoFundMe to raise money to assist Sean Currey in leaving the streets. He was a handyman, but he had never been without a shelter for as long as he had because of the pandemic.
Since this change, the page has received nearly $30k in donations. transforming a good deed into a second act of compassion. Together with Sean, they also want to help the area’s homeless people find long-term housing.
