When Jermaine Bell sets his sights on something, he follows through. That is, unless, he sees something better. Bell was planning to spend his seventh birthday on a trip to Disney World, a trip for which he’d been saving for quite some time. But as the news stories alerted the area of Hurricane Dorian, more and more people began to evacuate their homes. That’s where Bell saw an opportunity.

Enlisting the help of his grandmother Aretha Grant, Bell used his birthday money--about $500-- to buy hot dogs, chips, and bottled water for those who were evacuating their homes. He then made homemade signs and stood with them along the highway, to get the attention of those who needed help. Bell said, “The people that are traveling to go to places, I wanted them to have some food to eat, so they can enjoy the ride to the place that they’re going to stay at. I wanted to be generous and live to give.”

Apparently, news of the big-hearted six-year-old spread quickly, eventually coming to the attention of officials at the House of Mouse. Disney representatives surprised Bell at his mother’s home in Jacksonville with a special Simba toy and a set of VIP passes so that he and several family members could enjoy a Disney vacation after all.

Potential Preaching Angles: When we give up our comfort and privilege for the sake of others, those are the moments when we are being like Jesus.

Source: Autumn Johnson, “South Carolina boy gives up Disney birthday trip to feed Dorian evacuees,” WTBW.com (9-5-19)