McDonald’s Employee Praised For Helping Elderly Man — Kenny Soriano-Garcia Earns Award For Kindness


Kenny Soriano-Garcia, an employee at McDonald’s with a heart of gold, hasn’t just been praised by the Internet for one small — but very meaningful — act of kindness. The fast food chain has given him an award, too.

Last week, a McDonald’s customer snapped a photo of Soriano-Garcia as he helped an elderly man and posted the picture on Facebook.

That woman, Destiny Carreno, was just waiting in line at the Chicago McDonald’s, but soon caught the kindhearted scene and started to tear up — right in front of the other customers, according to NBC Chicago.

But what she witnessed would bring tears to anyone’s eyes.

Minutes before, an elderly handicapped man in a wheelchair came up to the counter, spoke to the cashier, apparently in need.

That cashier, Kenny, didn’t know what he needed right away, but tried to help immediately, Carrreno wrote on Facebook alongside her now-viral photo.

“Neither of us knew what help he needed, and the cashier suggested a few things before he figured out the gentleman needed help cutting and eating his meal. To be honest, I thought the (employee) 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.”

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=426188214250401&set=a.107258939476665.1073741828.100005776772002&type=3

He emerged from the kitchen with gloved hands and walked over to his table. The photo captures the kind gesture that followed: the two are in a quiet corner, the elderly man bent over his meal watching as the McDonald’s employee diligently works on his food.

“At that point, the tears started to gather in my eyes,” Carreno wrote. “My heart was so appreciative for what he did. I couldn’t contain my emotions in the crowded restaurant.”

Clearly, the act wasn’t meant to be broadcast all over the world, the employee not seeking to be praised. He simply left his register quietly and tended to the man’s needs without calling attention to himself. That’s how good deeds are meant to be done, after all — in secret. If Destiny hadn’t noticed and snapped a picture, he surely would’ve returned to his register just as quietly.

But Destiny did notice. And now he is being praised for this one small act that not only made a difference in one needy person’s life, but has inspired thousands of people.

The owner of the McDonald’s where Kenny works, Rod Lubeznik, praised him, noting that he was very proud of his employee and touched by the positive response his “compassion and kindness” has received.

According to WGN-TV, the employee was formally praised by McDonald’s in a small ceremony Wednesday, recognizing his extraordinary customer service with an award.

“We are very proud of (him), and overwhelmed by the positive response he has received. It’s a true testament to who Kenny is, and a reminder to us all that one seemingly small act of kindness can touch the hearts of so many.”

[Photo Courtesy : SSokolov / Shutterstock]

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