The Internet got warm fuzzies over a McDonald's cashier who went above and beyond the call of duty to help a customer cut and enjoy his meal.
Facebook user Destiny Carreno made a quick stop to the fast food store in Chicago after work and saw an elderly handicapped man wheel himself toward the register and ask help from the cashier.
The man politely tried asking the cashier something, but it took him a couple of tries before anyone could understand that he was saying, "Help me please."
"To be honest, I thought the cashier wasn't going to help, especially during rush hour in downtown Chicago, but to my shock, he shut down his register and disappeared from view," Destiny recalled in her Facebook post, which has now garnered more than 380,000 shares.
The old man appeared to have a case of quadriplegia, which also afflicts the Facebook user’s uncle. Quadriplegia is the paralysis of both arms and both legs, often stemming from conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke and cerebral palsy.
The store employee, identified as "Kenny," left the register, washed his hands, and put gloves on. He came to the old man's table and started to cut his meal and help him eat.
"At that point, the tears started to gather in my eyes. My heart was so appreciative for what he did. I couldn't contain my emotions in the crowded restaurant," Carreno said, calling the act "the kindest and most humble thing" she has ever seen.
Kenny's employer commended the staff's action and honored him during an award presentation at work.
"We are very proud of Kenny, and overwhelmed by the positive response he has received for his compassion and kindness," said Rod Lubeznik, owner of the fast food franchise.
Lubeznik highlighted it as a "true testament" to the man Kenny is and a reminder to everyone how a "seemingly small act of kindness" can make a difference for many.
A comment from Nelson O'Neil Rios on the Facebook post summed up what Kenny is to the fast food store right now: "Employee of the year!"
