homeless person
Jade Small
Jade Small
January 18, 2024 ·  2 min read

Heart Melting Moment When A Man Gave His Shirt To A Homeless, Shivering Man

Sometimes, we just need a heartwarming, feel-good story to make us feel good. Even if it’s an older story, the essence of why it is such a beautiful story remains! A real tear-jerker – stories about the homeless and less fortunate. This story is no different, and will have you grabbing for the tissues! It is so nice to know that there are real genuine and kind people out there, especially in a world that often leaves us feeling like there is no hope or good left. Keep reading to learn all about this wonderful man and his kind gesture that took the internet by storm a few years ago.

The Homeless of New York City

Before we get into the story, let us give you a few facts that might catch you by surprise. Did you know that nearly one in every 106 people in New York are homeless? Considering that the city is home to over 8.3 million humans, that is an estimated 80,000 people in New York are without a home. Around 4,000 people spend their nights on the cities streets or subways each night.[1] According to Bowery, for every person sleeping on sidewalks or on trains, 20 more are sleeping in shelters.

Kind Man Gives Back

Joey Resto, who was 23 years old at the time, was making his way home via train one day after work. He noticed a man who had no shirt, shivering in the 45-degree weather. This is where Joey decided to do the right thing, and literally took the clothes off his own back to give to the freezing homeless man.[2]

“He looked cold, hungry…like he had just gotten beat up. He looked so weak and frail.

It was a natural reaction to help, to do what I can. It just came from the heart. I don’t know how anyone could have walked past him and had extra clothing and not given it to him.”

Joey Resto, ABC

Joey explains how the man did not really speak to him but accepted his shirt when offered He also helped put the shirt onto the man. The video at the time of sharing was shared over 13 million times, thanks to Lazaro Nolasco, who videoed the act of kindness that day.

“He didn’t really say yea, he just kind of lifted his arms like a child. He was warm for the first time in I don’t know how long. He just curled up in a corner and went to sleep.”

Joey Resto, ABC

Sources

  1. Homelessness is a Shared Experience in the New York Metro Area. Bowery
  2. Good Samaritan Gives Shirt Off His Back to Homeless Man on NYC Train. ABC News