Veteran buying groceries breaks down when strangers approach and tells him “It’s our turn”

There’s a famous quote said by Fred Rogers, host of “Mister Rogers’s Neighborhood.”

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

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It’s always amazing to see people helping people, like this local TV news crew who headed to a Las Vegas grocery shop to surprise the locals.

They intended to brighten up the day by paying for people’s groceries.

It might be a small contribution for some, but for those who are living from paycheck to paycheck, a month of financial respite can mean the difference between eating and starving.

Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas Source: Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

At first, the team approached the checkout lines to look for recipients.

Every time they ask a local if they can pay for their groceries, their eyes light up in gratitude. You can say that it means a lot to them.

They also encountered a customer who was a bit reluctant about their presence. When Dave Hall, leader of the Surprise Squad, asked if they could pay for her groceries, the woman politely declined the offer.

Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas Source: Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

Instead of getting a free cart of goods, she said that there might be other people in the store who needed it more than her.

In her little way, she already helped.

And good thing Dave and his team still insisted on making her day.

After meeting the woman who loves to pay it forward, the team approached the store’s staff for some insider tips.

The staff knew the locals well, especially those struggling to make ends meet.

Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas Source: Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

The whole event put the staff to tears and it showed how much they cared for their customers.

Help like this doesn’t come too often and it warmed their hearts when struggling customers got the break they deserve, even just for a little bit.

Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas Source: Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

Eventually, the team encountered a veteran, Stephanie Sieverding, who had just moved to the city.

When asked why she transferred to Las Vegas, she said to Dave’s team: “The VA and because I heard that they’re just so friendly and I’m being proven right.”

Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas Source: Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

She was down on her last fifty dollars at that time.

She had to stretch that so she could feed herself and her therapy dog. Even if she laid her life down for the country, Sieverding was running low on funds after her service.

At that moment, Dave noticed a teary-eyed man behind Sieverding.

He introduced himself as Larry “Lar-Dog” Robeson. Dave assumed he was Sieverding’s brother but he clarified that he’s her husband’s friend and motorcycle club buddy. He is also a veteran who served during the Vietnam War. Because Sieverding is having a hard time moving around, Robeson drives her to where she needs to be.

Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas Source: Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

Just like Sieverding, he’s a struggling veteran.

When Dave approached him, he was paying for a bottle of dishwashing soap and a piece of candy. This didn’t stop him from helping, though. He shared that their organization pools donations, especially blankets, which they can give out to homeless veterans. Their initiative started when three people close to him froze to death.

And while he has done more than enough for the country, his service to the community didn’t end there.

Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas Source: Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

To honor the veteran’s kind heart, Dave’s team decided to take Robeson shopping.

He said that Robeson has already served the country and it’s time for the people to serve him.

Pexels - Jonathan Meyer Source: Pexels - Jonathan Meyer

He filled his cart with essentials like food and toiletries. And all the while, he was wiping his tears as he was overcome with emotions.

His check-out bill was $278.55, a small amount compared to what he had to go through as a veteran.

Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas Source: Youtube Screenshot - FOX5 Las Vegas

Look for the helpers, Fred Rogers said. And on that day, it’s not only the Surprise Squad who helped. It was the store staff who took care of their customers. The woman who tried to divert help to someone else. And the veterans who had nothing, but still worked hard to help those in need.

Watch the video below!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: YouTube – FOX5 Las Vegas, Instagram – @albertsons, Huff Post

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