Father of Waynesville McDonald’s employee reacts to son’s viral act of kindness

WAYNESVILLE — What started as a bad day for a local mother has turned into a worldwide fundraiser for a local McDonald’s employee.

The employee, Wyatt Jones, paid for the meal of a local mother, Brittany Reed, who left her wallet at home.

Reed went on to post about the random act of kindness and what happened next shocked everyone involved, including Wyatt’s parents.

“He told me I really didn’t do anything special dad," explained Wyatt’s father Kevin Jones. "It’s not the first time I’ve done it, I didn’t think anything would come about it, I’m just trying to help somebody out.”

>> RELATED: Waynesville McDonald’s employee shows act of kindness to a mother in the drive-thru

As Reed’s post started to go viral, she learned more about Wyatt and why he was working at McDonald’s.

“He was saving up to drive a car," explained Kevin Jones. "It’s basically the only reason he was working.”

Reed then started a fundraiser to help Wyatt raise the money for his car.

“I want to pay it forward and show him the same type of kindness he showed me,” explained Reed.

Reed’s initial goal was to raise $5,000, but as of Tuesday afternoon, more than $28,000 has been raised.

Wyatt’s parents are blown away by the support they have gotten from all over the world from a simple random act of kindness.

“He didn’t expect anything he just did something out of the kindness of heart for somebody in need," said Kevin Jones.

While Wyatt’s parents are thankful for the recognition for their son, they are mostly thankful for how their son treated a total stranger.

“It makes you very proud to know when they’re out in the world they’re willing to help other people," explained Kevin Jones.

Cox Media Group