Johnny Duckworth was cleaning up at the small Colorado diner where he works, when he came across a wad of cash that was shoved in an unassuming envelope. It was late, and with not a single witness around, he could have easily pocketed the $3,000 and solved some personal problems, but instead he turned it in. A few days later, he was blindsided with what he definitely didn’t think he deserved.

Duckworth, who goes by “Thumper” to all who know him, works 25 hours a week as a busboy at Randy’s Southside Diner in the sleepy town of Grand Junction. He was washing dishes at the end of his shift on December 15, when he stumbled across an envelope in the dining area. It contained 30 $100 bills inside, totaling $3,000, the New York Daily News reported.

Randy’s Southside Diner (left), Johnny Duckworth (right)

Behind the scenes of Duckworth’s good deed, there was more going on, which the rightful owner of the cash wasn’t aware of when the funds were returned to him two days later. The busboy works for practically nothing, since a good part of his modest paycheck is garnished for past due medical bills, which have gone into collection. He’s homeless and goes between friends’ and family members’ houses for a place to stay, but the honest man insists on working for his money to escape his financial despair.

“It’s not mine,” Duckworth told KKCO, about the cash he found, which he immediately handed over to his boss, Randy Emmons. “I work for a living. I make money,” he added, explaining why he didn’t keep the cash despite his desperate circumstances.

A couple of days later, Emmons was contacted by Darrell Cox, the man who accidentally left it at the diner. Cox had learned about the incredibly honest guy, who was the only reason he got his money back. That’s when Cox decided to do something about it, which would begin as something simple but spiral into an unfathomable gift.

Darrell Cox

Cox gifted Duckworth $300 of the $3,000 returned to him, putting it in a separate envelope with a message that he wrote on it, which read, “Merry Christmas to a super-honest guy.” That was good enough for Duckworth, who didn’t expect it but certainly appreciated the small financial and emotional boost. He said that Cox’s kindness made him “feel a lot better about people.” But he had no idea what more was in store for him.

Emmons was exceptionally proud of his employee, who had done grunt work at the diner for nine years. He started a GoFundMe page, called “Tip Thumper,” dedicated to helping Duckworth out with his dire circumstances. The manager explained that his heart was heavy for him since he’s “a good guy who works very hard and that has truly fallen onto hard times.” Evidently, Emmons wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

The “Tip Thumper” account swelled to over $11,000, all from generous donations, and it’s still growing. The gift is already almost four times what he found and could have taken, which is proof that when we choose to do the right thing, we’re blessed for it.

“Thumper” never felt entitled to any kind of reward. He said he was just doing the right thing, which anyone should have done.

This man has exceptional work ethic and character in the midst of hardship, which also includes an inoperable car he can’t rely on to get him to work or wherever he will sleep that night. His efforts really paid off in an unexpected way, and without a doubt, he won’t be taking it for granted.

h/t: [Fox4KC]