An officer's good deed goes viral, inspires non-profit
VIDEO - When Sumter, South Carolina police officer Gaetano Acerra decided to do a good deed for a 13-year-old boy, he never thought his act of kindness would go viral...
SUMTER, South Carolina — When Sumter, South Carolina police officer Gaetano Acerra decided to do a good deed for a 13-year-old boy, he never thought his act of kindness would go viral.
“I didn’t think it was going to get this big,” said Acerra. “I’m shocked.”
Acerra bought a bed, television, desk, and chair for Cameron Simmons. At the time, Simmons was sleeping on an inflatable mattress that he said deflated during the night.
Acerra asked his brother, Ferdinando, to help him deliver the bedroom furniture to the boy, and that’s when a simple Facebook post went viral.
“I just wanted to brag a little bit about what he was doing,” said Ferdinando who posted a picture of his older brother hugging Cameron. “I posted it on Facebook, and next thing I know, it went viral.”
TheGrio | Police officer makes sure teen gets bed, TV for bedroom (VIDEO)Â
The picture was posted online May 6, and three days later, an online donation fund was set up.
In just four days, more than $5,000 had been donated to Cameron and his family to help fund basic needs.
In order to help more people, the Acerra brothers are in the process of setting up a non-profit.
Officer Acerra has filed the paperwork, and the non-profit should be official in about a month.
“It’s always the best feeling, knowing that you can help somebody out that needs the help,” said Ferdinando.
Click here to read the rest of this story on WIS-TV
