Every week, for the past three years, Ruth Reed has helped someone pay their bill at the local convenience store.
“I have made a resolution to once a week treat someone at Wawa,” the retired schoolteacher from Marlton, New Jersey, explained. “Occasionally, it happens more than once a week.”
These little acts of kindness make Ruth feel good, but, most recently, karma paid her back in a big way when she unknowingly helped a famous, country celeb.
Earlier this month, on August 3, Ruth was at the Wawa convenience store when she saw, what she presumed to be, a man in need.
She told CBS Philadelphia:
“It looked like he was using a card and it didn’t go through. Then he asked a young lady for $5 and I thought this is it.”
“So I said, ‘No I’ll get it.'”
Upon hearing Ruth’s offer to help pay for his things, the man thanked her and asked for her name.
Ruth told the man her name and asked for his. When he responded with ‘Keith’, she took a closer look.
Taking in the man’s shaggy brown hair and light eyes, she told him he looked a lot like Keith Urban. But, little did she know, that’s exactly who she was talking to!
In a Facebook post shared by one of her former students, Ruth wrote:
“I said that he did look like Keith Urban, he said he was.”
And the best part? Ruth didn’t believe him at first.
“I didn’t believe him.”
“He finally said that I could ask his bodyguard. It was then I realized what an idiot I was.”
“He graciously allowed me to to get my picture taken with him.”
For those who are unaware, Keith Urban is a famous New Zealand country singer married to Nicole Kidman. The fact that Ruth offered to help pay for the celebrity’s purchase is not only hilarious but also endearing as can be. Turns out the singer was in the area for a Camden concert as part of his Graffiti U World Tour.
When Ruth’s former student shared her story on Twitter, it went completely viral.
The pair’s entire encounter was adorable, but it’s Ruth’s heart that truly resonates with others. The Wawa in Medford even held a “Free Coffee Day” in honor of her kindness. On August 8, the store posted a sign that read:
“We’re celebrating Ruth who goes above and beyond to treat fellow Wawa customers. Thank you for all the days you’ve brightened.”
Ruth’s act of kindness has been inspiring others outside of her hometown too. For instance, Elana Z. Jinzo, of San Francisco, wrote: (via NewJersey.com):
“I chose to pay for an elderly woman’s dinner at Safeway when they were telling her they couldn’t take her check without a current photo ID.”
“It felt great to help. Ruth Reed, you’re my hero!”
After inspired everyone with her kindness, now, she’s being repaid in full.
On August 7, Mastercard offered Ruth one year’s worth of prepaid credit cards to help fund her weekly resolution. In a tweet, the company wrote:
“Ruth your next 52 acts of kindness are on us. We’d love to send you a year’s supply of prepaid Mastercards! Let’s connect!”
Ruth, your next 52 acts of kindness are on us. We’d love to send you a year’s supply of prepaid Mastercards! Let’s connect! #StartSomethingPriceless https://t.co/pXsZG58yNs
— Mastercard (@Mastercard) August 7, 2018
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