Good Deeds

For every cynic out there like me, we need three Fredrick Cromitys.

Before an hour ago, I didn't even know Cromity existed, but as I approached a cash register inside a Burger King a few blocks from the Miami Herald building Cromity walked up, excused himself and asked a colleague and me if we'd mind him cutting just so he could hand some money to the cashier. We said sure. Cromity stepped forward, handed her a buck and change and said "It's for a burger, I think a Whopper Jr., for the homeless guy back there in the corner."

Then he thanked us, stepped out of line, turned and gestured to the homeless man to come forward. The smiling homeless guy walked to the counter, took the receipt from Cromity, and waited for his burger. Cromity didn't say another word. He just walked back to the table where his young son was eating and playing a video game.

Before father and son left the fast foodery(yes, I made this word up) maybe 20 minutes later, Cromity went back to the cash register twice more to buy burgers for a couple of other homeless guys.

What can I tell you? His generosity made me curious, and I am a reporter. So I stopped Cromity and introduced myself. It turns out he's a pastor and a communication & broadcast arts educator at Hallandale High School.

I asked why he fed all the homeless guys in the burger joint, and Cromity didn't have a flowery speech prepared. He thought about it for a second, then answered he was "just trying to help."