"If you have the ability to help you have the obligation to help." That is a quote I picked up during my most recent visit to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. The quote, the hospital, and this story all connect in this example of selflessness.

Being the father of a stereotypical 11-year-old bot, I can tell you without hesitation that, along he loves helping others, I'm pretty sure he'd choose beating some game on his Nintendo Switch and then opt to help someone in need. Don't misconsture. A kid is a kid, you can't blame them for wanting to play before a "chore." It's safe to say there are adults with the same mindset. This story, though, is the contrary.

Ozzie Padilla lives up in Wadsworth, Illinois, a very short drive from Wisconsin on the state line. According to the story shared by WGN, he noticed his neighbors yard needed to be mowed. Then he realized they weren't home very much, so he took matter into his own hands Keep in mind, he's in 6th grade... so he's 11 or 12-years-old. He's done this for two years. Why? Because his neighbor and classmate, Effie, has a rare form of acute lymphoma, which is why her family is seemingly gone all the time.

There's even more to the story. Effie is close to Ozzie's younger sister, who has Down syndrome. Ozzie's mom credits her son's brave bff for treating Ozzie's little sister her just like "any regular kid." I forgot to mention, the yard between their two homes is just over two-acres. Ozzie doesn't think he deserves any sort of recognition, though, according to WGN.

 

“You know, I don’t think I need all this attention because it’s just me cutting the grass and doing the right thing, helping my neighbor,” Ozzie said. “It just makes me feel happy because I’m helping them.”

In a time when our current world sucks and seems lost of hope and love, here is a story that will give you the feels. Put your "things" aside and help your neighbor, friend, or a complete stranger. If you'd like to help the fight to eradicate pediatric cancers and disease, drop a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital here.

"If you have the ability to help you have the obligation to help."


JB Love is ½ of  Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook.

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