WATCH: A Global News story was able to connect the generous teen and the family in a story about a random act of kindness. Minna Rhee reports.
TORONTO – When Pat Montgomerie went Christmas shopping for her grandson last week, she didn’t expect a spontaneous act of kindness in return.
Montgomerie was shopping at a Guelph Lids store for her grandson, Graham Montgomerie Guitard, an avid basketball fan and Special Olympics athlete.
Considering a Toronto Raptors hat and toque, Montgomerie asked a 16-year-old boy beside her what colour she should buy.
The teenager, Anthony Ibrahim, said black, “because that will go with anything.”
Montgomerie wanted to buy both but couldn’t fathom spending nearly $90 on two gifts. She didn’t expect what happened next: Ibrahim offered to buy the toque for her because he felt “Christmassy.”
“He said, ‘Would you mind if I bought the toque for your grandson?’” Montgomerie said. “It’s amazing. Of course, it’s just something that doesn’t happen to an old lady. Especially when a young boy does something nice for an old lady, don’t you think that’s wonderful?”
WATCH: See the story behind this random act of Christmas kindness that lifted the spirits of one Toronto area family.
Ibrahim didn’t tell a soul about what he had done, but he did write his name on a receipt for Montgomerie. And when the parents of one of Ibrahim’s friends saw the receipt on a Global News broadcast, Graham and Ibrahim were able to meet face-to-face.
Outside the store where Ibrahim had bought the toque, he and Graham exchanged gifts. Ibrahim had brought Graham a basketball. And for Ibrahim, the first medal Graham received as a Special Olympics basketball player.
And there was one more surprise for Graham and Ibrahim: The Raptors will host the pair, along with two guests each, at the team’s Jan. 18 game.
As the holidays draw near, the Christmas spirit is prompting multiple acts of kindness like this.
Food Network host and chef Laura Calder recently posted a video on YouTube of her conducting a group of opera students on a TTC subway train for a flash mob caroling session.
Let us know. What are your acts of Christmas kindness?
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