ALGONQUIN (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A simple act of kindness over the weekend in Algonquin not only saved a man’s Thanksgiving, it also marked the start of a new friendship.
Paul Jansen Van Rensburg admitted he was a bit distracted when he stopped at a Thorntons gas station to fill up.
“I already took my credit card out of my wallet, and my wallet was just sitting between my legs. I jump out and I’m like, ‘Dude, I’m on the wrong side. Come on!’” Jansen Van Rensburg recalled
He hopped back in his car, found the correct pump, filled up and took off.
Not long after, Julie Ninos pulled in for gas and spotted something unusual on the ground.
“His wallet was like two inches from my tire. I just missed running it over,” Ninos said.
Having had her wallet stolen years ago, Ninos quickly took to Facebook and found a new friend.
“I’m like, ‘I don’t know who that is.’” Jansen Van Rensburg said. “Then, immediately after that, my phone dings through Facebook Messenger, ‘Hey Paul, this is Julie. I have your wallet.’ I’m like, ‘What?’”
The two eventually met up for a wallet swap, handshake and heartfelt thank you.
“I’m like, ‘Hey, can I give you cash? Can I give you anything?’ She goes, ‘No! I hope you have a wonderful day.’ Can you imagine what this world would be like if there were more people like that?” Jansen Van Rensburg asked.
“You just have to put yourself in that situation,” Ninos said. “ How would you feel if that was your wallet, and you had plans with your family, and you had money in there?”
They even agreed to meet at the American Legion, where Ninos works, for a drink, and Paul promised to pay the bill.
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