Birmingham boy uses birthday money to hydrate the homeless
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) - Going the extra mile to keep everyone cool is what one Birmingham boy decided to do on Monday. He used some of his own birthday money to buy water and ice for those who needed a cool drink and a break.
On a hot day like Monday, you won't see too many people outside.... Not by choice anyway.
"It felt like the sun just got closer," says 9 year-old Nathaniel Cade.
For those who didn't have a choice but to be outside, Cade was there to help.
"It's just sad to see them out in the heat and I just want to give them some water," says Cade.
On his birthday, handing out cold water bottles is what he chose to do, with the help of his siblings of course.
"I've been helping my brother by bringing water and helping him poor ice," says his little sister Madison Cade.
Nathaniel is a bit shy, but this he feels is something to speak up about.
"You can help people. Like bring them food and water... Anytime," he says.
In any temperature too.
After birthday breakfast at the Original Pancake House on the Southside, Nathaniel decided to hand out water there and later in the day, the family headed to Linn Park.
It was after hearing Nathaniel speak up, his father knew they were doing something right.
"I was personally just blown away, just because of his generosity," says Richard Cade, Nathaniel's father.
Generosity. Humility. Empathy.
"There's people out there everyday that don't have that same luxury that we have, so it's always good to be a blessing to others," says Richard.
On an especially hot day, a cool kid came to the rescue.
"On his birthday of all days," says Richard.
Nathaniel says he and his family help out with hydration stations for the homeless each summer with organizations like "Be a Blessing Birmingham".
He just figured Monday would be an especially good day to start one on his own.
