Many business owners do whatever it takes to increase their profits, catering to customer needs simply in order to keep business afloat. One bar owner in North Carolina has a different mindset.
He proved that he will go above and beyond for both his customers and his community when a woman recently lost her wallet near his establishment.
How a Bar Owner Helped a Desperate Customer and Theft Victim
Jimmy Gilleece, who owns a bar in Wrightsville, North Carolina, is not your average business owner. Recently, an incident happened that gave him the chance to lend a helping hand to a patron -- but his efforts didn’t stop there.
One day, a customer who was visibly distraught came into the bar. When Jimmy asked her what had happened, she confessed to him that she had misplaced her wallet. Worse than that, her wedding ring had been in the wallet at the time, and it was irreplaceable to her.
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Jimmy consoled the customer and promised he would find the wallet and the ring. He immediately swung into action, watching hours and hours of security camera footage until he saw what he was looking for. He found that the patron had forgotten her wallet on a bench outside the bar. Unfortunately, a sketchy looking man quickly passed by and pocketed the item.
Why a Bar Owner Helped a Homeless Teen Instead of Punishing Him
Jimmy wasn’t satisfied with just an answer about what had happened to the wallet. His promise to his customer was that he would get the wallet back, and he intended to fulfill that promise. He was able to track down the sketchy looking man, identifying him as 17-year-old River Prather. Prather admitted to Jimmy that he had taken the cash and disposed of the wallet in a nearby ocean channel. Anyone else would have stopped trying to help here, but not Jimmy.
The next day, the bar owner hired a dive team to scour the channel and find the wallet and ring. A few hours of searching later, the wallet and ring were recovered! The woman was overjoyed and Jimmy was happy to have fulfilled his promise; but he still felt there was something more he had to do.
He was living in the woods, and this is when it was 30 degrees outside, and he hadn’t eaten in two days. I could tell he wasn’t a criminal. He was just somebody who needed a little help.
Jimmy Gilleece
How a Bartender Believed in the Power of Making a Difference
As soon as he gave the ring back to his customer, he realized what he had to do. He went back to find River Prather and invited him to live with him and his family. River was homeless and living in the woods, estranged from his troubled parents.
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The minor had taken the wallet because he needed to eat, not because he was a bad kid. Jimmy immediately opened his heart and his home to the boy, whose life was changed forever.
I couldn’t have been luckier. Most other people would have just gave the footage to police, and he chose to help me. He’s made me part of his family.
River Prather
Jimmy Gilleece is more than just a businessman, he is an amazing person. His loving attitude towards those around him, especially River, sets an amazing example for all of us. We should never judge people, but seek to understand them and try to help them out to the best of our abilities. You never know, you might change a life.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.