A homeless Connecticut man shed tears of joy and happiness after learning that complete strangers had raised $17,000 to get him a place he could call home.
24-year-old Phillip Vu from Newport Beach, California, was traveling around the US and when one day Mike, 46, approached his car to wash his windows. Phillip kindly declined, but later decided to buy him a sandwich and the two eventually befriended each other.
And a couple of months later, Phillip came back with a solid amount of cash he was able to raise online in order to put a roof over Mike’s head.
Phillip said:
“That was probably one of the greatest experiences of my life. When I set off on this journey eight months ago when I left home to live out my car and make videos, years in the future my dream was to give a person who deserves it a lump sum of money and change their life.”
He added:
“I never could’ve imagined only eight months later I would have achieved that. We can fix homeless in the US because a life was changed with just $17,000 – we can make a difference in these peoples lives.”
@phillipqvu This is my favorite video series already #homeless #bekind #newhaven #charity #chinesenewyear
Mike was left without a father when he was still young and has lost touch with his other family members.
He is also been to jail, but the reasons are not specified.
Phillip said:
“I thought we were two sides from a different coin. We both came from struggling backgrounds and at some point I decided to reconnect with my family and he didn’t – we saw commonalities until that split.”
@phillipqvu Reply to @grantmosleyy send this to someone who needs a smile #homeless #bekind #homelesspeople #strangerstofriends
He added:
“I was like living my dreams, and he told me his dream was to go travelling one day. He’s been fending for his life and trying to support his girlfriend and I’m living out my car for leisure… he is such a lovely, hard-working human being and I want to humanise him.”
@phillipqvu Reply to @s3anjones I think he just sees the tip of the iceberg… #homeless #bekind #kindnessmatters #strangerstofriends #chinesenewyear
Phillip had been recording some of their chats for his social media followers, and they have since been seen by millions of people.
“I never thought any of these videos would get that much traction. I didn’t think it would be more than me helping him out, having a conversation, getting to know him. I just wanted to document a video of me and Mike hanging out and sharing an experience,” he said.
@phillipqvu Reply to @rap_chit_hunchback here’s my fave moment of 2021 #homeless #bekind #kindnessmatters #strangerstofriends #chinesenewyear
Phillip set up a GoFundMe page for Mike in February after researching the best way to gather donations.
And in a matter of just two days, people donated $10,000, which eventually went up to $17,000.
In the clip Phillip recorded on February 12, which happened to be Chinese New Year, Mike started shedding tears of joy when he was given a red envelope containing more than $1,000. Phillip then told him how the cash was raised.
Mike told him:
“I would never thought this would happen, I ask God for just one thing, life, and he poured you into me.”
Phillip then showed him the huge total amount, at which point Mike said:
“What are you doing to me?”
@phillipqvu On my worst days, sometimes I look back on my fave moments to smile. #bekind #mentalhealth #strangerstofriends
Currently, Mike is working on getting his birth certificate and social security number and has applied for low-income housing, with Phillip also requesting the assistance of financial advisors to help him with the process.
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