A Galveston, TX Denny’s restaurant server who walked fourteen miles to work every day got an enormous surprise from a husband and wife couple she waited on—a car.

As reported by CNN , the server, Adrianna Edwards, walked four hours roundtrip to work every day. “I have bills to pay…You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Adrianna explained to a local television reporter.

In the course of waiting on the couple, Adrianna shared about her daily walking trek. At the end of their meal, Adrianna gave the woman an extra scoop of ice cream. After paying the bill, the couple (who wanted to remain anonymous) left the restaurant and went to the auto dealership they own. They picked out a 2011 Nissan Sentra and returned to the restaurant where they handed Adrianna the keys.

In return, the couple simply asked Adrianna to pay the good deed forward. Adrianna’s response: “I still feel like I’m dreaming. Every two hours I come look out my window (to) see if there’s still a car there. When I see somebody in need, I’ll probably be more likely to help them out…”

Adrianna now plans to start college earlier as a result of having the car.
This story is an example of extreme generosity, for sure. However, it also demonstrates what happens when someone is given a lift-up—a vehicle—that makes life easier: Adrianna will go to college sooner than previously thought.

Here’s another story (which may be a future Ripple piece) about the positive effects of giving lower-income folks an extra $500 a month; as you’ll read, it buys them more time. That’s the same thing that’s happened with Adrianna—with more time every day in lieu of walking to work, she can have time to study.  

Kindness is good, yes. However, when it’s strategic, it can ripple in a myriad of ways.