Heartwarming Gesture: Student Gifts New Shoes to a Friend

The act of kindness that moved the internet: High schooler Ty Moore, from a North Carolina high school, found out in a special way about a fellow student who was being 'bullied' because he came to school in shabby clothes and worn-out shoes.

Ty decided to post on his Facebook page and explain the reasons that led him to buy the boy a gift to cheer him up and ease the hurt from the teasing and bullying at school. "There's this kid named Izzy E. who goes to our school. He loves rap and dreams of becoming a rapper. He's just trying to follow his dream, but kids at school tease and bully him about how he dresses and looks. So I went and bought him a pair of Jordans. He was stunned."

But it wasn't just Izzy E. who was stunned; Ty's friends were, too – one of them, Taylor Bates (also known as Izzy E.), was moved to tears by the gesture.

Alongside a picture of Ty Moore, Bates posted the following on his Facebook page:

"This guy's name is Ty, and he studies at Greenwood High School. Yesterday, when I entered the gym and was getting ready for lunch, Ty asked me what shoe size I wore, and I said, 'Nine, why?' but he didn't answer. He just said, 'Tomorrow, I want you to be right here, okay?' I promised him I'd show up at the meeting point, but I didn't understand what he wanted.

"Today, when I walked into the gym, I saw Ty holding a bag. When he saw me enter, he pulled out a shoebox with Jordans, opened it, and handed it to me. He said, 'Here, man, these are yours.'

"I didn't understand what he was talking about, so he asked his friend to put the shoes in my backpack and told me, 'I heard people were bullying you, so I wanted to get you these to make you feel better.' When he said that, I hugged him and almost cried. I can't thank him enough."

The wonderful gesture spread like wildfire, reaching the school's principal, where Ty studies. "I think the generosity Ty showed was an unbelievable act stemming from a kindness that's rare in today's society. I also think we can all learn something from this, and always be ready to help others," he said, adding that since the story went viral on social media, several well-known clothing stores have approached him, wanting to donate to less fortunate students.