Local Waiter's Act of Kindness Going Viral
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — UPDATE: Joe Thomas received a special visit on March 30, 2017 from someone who simply wanted to meet the man behind the incredible act of kindness.
A local restaurant waiter is getting national recognition.
Joe Thomas has been working at the IHOP on Dirksen Parkway in Springfield for over a decade, and now a photo of him is going viral after he stopped to help a woman eat her food.
“They are just really nice people really,” Thomas said .
The woman and her husband have been coming to sit at Thomas' tables for years now.
He said she has trouble eating because of a medical issue and her husband would step in, but Thomas wanted the couple to enjoy their meal together.
“I always see him stop eating to feed her and I was like 'heck, if I’m not doing anything why don't I go feed her so he can eat and everyone can be happy?' My parents always told me to treat people equally and that's what I try to do all the time,” Thomas said.
As soon as his photo went viral, Thomas started to read the overwhelming amount of support he was getting.
“It really felt good for somebody to actually see another person is doing something and take notice,” Thomas said. "It felt good, but at the same time I was like I really don't care for the recognition to much because it's just something that should automatically be done regardless. I am out there to help anyone if I can, don't really look for anything in return just have a good day and that's it."
Thomas said since this photo went viral, he received a job opportunity to become a nurse.
