81-year-old was feeling lonely after separation from his family — then his one act made him a 'grandpa' to local Dunkin' staff
Loneliness is a growing issue among the elderly. For various reasons, many senior people are socially isolated, causing them to feel lonely and depressed. 81-year-old Gilbert Walker had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, too, TODAY reported. However, they were all miles away, and when the pandemic struck, it limited the man’s social life. Having nowhere to go, he looked up a Dunkin’ Donuts outlet. Little did he know, it would become the start of something precious. Having become a regular customer, Walker got more involved with the employees and made one simple gesture that stole everyone's hearts.
When the pandemic struck, the elderly man was restricted from his social life. He couldn’t meet his friends at the same coffee shop he used to every day. As he was on the lookout for another place nearby, he came across his local Dunkin’ Donuts outlet. He started going there for a cup of coffee every day. As he made his daily trip, he began conversing with the workers and even befriended the owner, Matt Cobo. Walker soon learned that the pandemic was getting tough on the staff. “I asked if he had to lay anyone off and he said he had 14 employees and wanted to keep them but had to cut their hours,” the 81-year-old recalled.
Wanting to help keep the jobs of these employees, the elderly man handed Cobo an envelope of $280. Each employee received $20 from it, and when they learned of the sender, they were touched. The simple thought that he cared so much about them and his active effort to help moved the workers. Grateful for it, they began addressing Walker as “Grandpa,” and an uncanny relationship was born."I never did introduce myself; they just started calling me 'Grandpa,'" explained Walker. However, his simple gesture had become a soothing support when it was needed the most.
“What Grandpa did that time was so much more than a gesture of kindness. He made us feel like things were going to be okay,” Cobo remarked. This relationship blossomed into one of the most wholesome things to witness. Right from getting input on upcoming events like Walker’s birthday and his anniversary with his wife, Virginia, to not allowing him to pay, each act of love was heartwarming. On Walker and Virginia's 62nd anniversary, the staff went all out. “Holy cow, they’d set up a whole table inside the building, pictures of our wedding, a dozen white roses and food. They had maple bars in the shape of a heart; it was crazy,” he remarked.
“No one can deserve it more than him… it’s been really fun,” Cobo said. The bond continued with the staff showing up to say “Hi” to "Grandpa Gil” every morning. “Those kids kind of reminded me of my family. They were really nice and just treated me well every single day,” Walker said. It doesn’t take rocket science to achieve something as beautiful as this bond. “If you want to see the best in people, be as generous as you can and as nice as you can. You get to see a side of people you don’t normally see,” Walker suggested.