Rhode Islanders embrace “paying it forward”

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) – A positive this year… We’ve heard many stories of people paying it forward, and not only because it is the season of giving, but because so many are struggling during the pandemic.

Those acts of kindness spreading here in Rhode Island, including one woman in Warwick who got a surprise while shopping at the grocery store.

“It’s the nicest thing that’s ever happened to me,” said Nikki Santos.

Over the last couple of months, Santos was diagnosed with COVID-19 and says she is still feeling the effects of the virus.

And she is the sole caregiver for her father who is suffering from dementia.

Last week, she knew a snowstorm was headed our way, so she raced out to Dave’s Market in Warwick to pick up some essentials.

But, when it came time to pay the bill, she realized she didn’t have her wallet.

“I looked in my bag and kept digging and digging and realized I didn’t have my wallet.”

Santos told the cashier she had to run home to get her wallet. That’s when another customer heard what was happening.

“The girl next to me said I have it. I told her I needed her information to pay her back and she said no, Merry Christmas and have a great year.”

The $60 bill was picked up by a complete stranger, without any hesitation.

“She turned a very embarrassing situation into one that really made my day,” Santos said.

Santos says during such a tough year, it’s amazing to see so many people paying it forward, as so many are struggling.

“You hear it happening to people when but it happens to you, it puts a whole new light on it.”

Santos told ABC6 News she has already paid it forward. That same day, a woman at another store didn’t have cash to buy lottery tickets to put in her Christmas Cards, so Santos paid it forward by giving the woman the cash she needed.