It doesn’t take a grand act to change the world. More often, it just needs a sincere heart and the littlest things – like a pair of shoes.

It was July 1 when Police Officer Kent Green from Mesa, Arizona began receiving a barrage of messages from family and friends. They claimed they’d seen his photo on social media but he didn’t know what picture they were talking about. He was concerned at first since this photo could be anything.

But soon enough, he learned that it was from a local citizen who took a snapshot of his random act of kindness.

It’s understandable to be skeptical about good deeds especially when they’re done in front of a camera. While the cause is noble, it quickly diminishes once you learn that some people do it for likes, subscribers, or self-congratulatory recognition.

But some people help others, not because they’re being watched, but because it’s the right thing to do even when no one’s looking.

In his usual patrol, Green drove by a dumpster and saw a man inside who was collecting recyclables to sell. These discarded cans and bottles can be a ticket for a meager meal, that’s why the less fortunate take risks.

These risks, unfortunately, can lead to serious injuries, or worse, even death.

In San Antonio, a homeless man was taken to a hospital after he was rescued from inside a garbage truck compactor.

Fearing for his safety, Green asked the man to get out of the dumpster. He told Runner’s World:

“We’ve had some deaths from people either falling asleep or camping out in a dumpster, or behind, and then the garbage vehicle comes out and it can end really badly,”

As they both parted ways, Green noticed something that made him act not only as a community servant but as a fellow human being. He saw that the man can use a pair of shoes.

Green grabbed one of his many pairs of running shoes and insisted for the man to try it on.

At this moment, Green didn’t only restore the man’s dignity but also restored faith in our capacity to help.

A local named Jenny Crider was watching the scene unfold from behind her window and took a snapshot of the incredible moment. The following day, the post went viral.

Green has been a police officer for more than a decade but his love for running started when he was younger.

At his peak, he was running 70-80 miles per week which made him go through pairs and pairs of shoes. With a surplus of slightly used running shoes, he decided to give them to people who can use them.

Even if his fellow officers would ask why he brings a garbage bag full of sneakers in the back of his patrol car, he maintained the privacy of his generous acts. That is until his kindness was well received by people from all over the world.

The spotlight might be a long-overdue recognition but Green shared that a lot of acts of kindness remain unseen.

Some officers pack hygiene kits, food, baby supplies, but it was only Green who gave out pairs of shoes.

He hopes that with these little acts, we get to find out our own capacity for kindness, whether or not someone’s watching.

He said to Runner’s World:

“I just hope [this] brings a little positivity to police and what they do behind the scenes every day, every night. It’s not particular to Mesa, it’s not particular to Arizona. It’s everywhere.”

Remember, help when you can with whatever you have.

It might seem small, but your little act of kindness can ripple into the change you want to see.

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Source: Runner’s World, FOX 10, Jenny Crider via Facebook, KENS 5, Inside Edition via YouTube