Strangers have raised more than $250,000 for an 89-year-old ice cream vendor

One photo can say more than a thousand words. Or, as in this story, inspire people to do a good deed and raise thousands of dollars.

Restaurant owner Joel Macias was amazed when he saw an elderly man on Chicago's 26th Street, who should have been retired a long time ago, pushing a cart with paletas (Mexican fruit ice cream) in front of him. He took a picture of the old man and posted the frame on social networks. In just three days, Macias raised about $250,000 for an elderly salesman, Fidencio Sanchez.

Macias launched a campaign on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe to help Fidencio. He texted: "This sight — an old man, instead of enjoying a well—deserved retirement, is forced to work at such an advanced age - broke my heart. I had to stop and take a picture of him. Then I bought 20 pieces of ice cream from him and gave him $50." After posting the photo on Facebook, Macias quickly realized that it wasn't the only one who had such a response.

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Source: My Modern Met

Joel Macias (center) and the Sanchez family (right). Photo: Joel Macias.

To be honest, the story behind this photo is even sadder. 89-year-old Fidencio Sanchez and his wife buried their daughter, who left them two grandchildren. To provide for them, the elderly were forced to go to work. But soon Fidencio's wife fell ill, and he began selling ice cream alone. But now, we hope, he and his wife will feel better from the kindness of so many strangers.