Stranger Pays for the School Supplies Teacher Was Buying for Her Students

It’s almost time for a new school year to start. This often means new challenges – and new opportunities to help others.

Sabrina Drude, a 7th grade teacher in San Antonio, Texas, was at Walmart last week buying school supplies for her students. Seeing her with a cart full of notebooks and pens, but no children, a man approached her and asked her what the supplies were for.

Drude explained that many of her students come from poor neighborhoods and couldn’t afford all the necessary things for school. It is not uncommon for teachers to buy school supplies with their own money.

The man then stunned Drude by insisting to pay for her purchases, which amounted to $97. This kindness brought tears to the teacher’s eyes.

“He said, ‘Put your wallet away,’ and I just started crying,” Drude told CBS News. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”

When she asked him why he would do such a thing, the man answered, “Because teachers don’t get the recognition that they deserve.”

The story could have ended here, but Drude wanted to make sure the good Samaritan’s actions didn’t go unnoticed. Having been unable to get the man’s name, she sent local news channel KENS-5 a video, telling them her story and asking for help in finding the man.

Social networks worked their magic, and the man was identified as Lester Brown, a pastor and re-entry specialist at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. He says his faith played a part in inspiring his gesture at the Walmart.

“I remember I had this hundred-dollar bill with the intention of responding to something in need, and God said to respond,” Brown told KENS-5.

Given his work, Brown is likely no stranger to the struggles young people can face and the importance of school in their lives. He is also a father of five.

Now that his good deed has been made public, Brown has one request for the community: Try to do the same.

“I challenge you, whatever it is you can afford, to volunteer at a school, help a family,” he said, adding, “You want people to live better, love thy neighbor. Love thy neighbor means do your part.”

As for Drude, she plans to tell her class about Brown’s kindness and to invite Brown to a pizza party with her students.

“This is exactly the type of person I want to influence my kids to be,” Drude told CBS News. “I want him to inspire my kids just like he inspired me; if any of my kids grew up to be half the man he is, I’d be very proud.”

Thanks to Brown, the school year is off to a good start for Drude’s class.