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A restaurant employee caught helping an elderly man cross the street in a now viral photo says he’s shocked by all the attention.
A Channel 2 Action News viewer sent the photos after she witnessed the moment outside Johnny's New York Style Pizza in East Cobb.
As of Friday, the story had reached more than 3 million people on WSB-TV's Facebook page and has been liked 120,000 times.
The man in the photos is Caleb Abolarin. The Atlanta native started working at the restaurant nearly two years ago and also manages another local restaurant.
Abolarin says the man he helped is a regular at Johnny's.
“He always gets two slices of pepperoni and a Diet Coke,” Abolarin joked. “If he doesn’t, the world is going to end.”
Abolarin says that, while he’s thankful for the attention, he’s not the only person who deserves it.
“We all (coworkers) help take care of Jim,” Abolarin said. “Usually we put his whole order in before he gets to the door. We’re basically on the lookout for him. So it would be unjust if I take all the credit.”
Albolarin says he can't believe the story has gotten so much attention. He says it’s shocking that something so small is what it takes to inspire people.
“On one hand, it’s a good thing; on the other hand this should happen more. I would hope that more people do this and it’s seen on the regular,” Abolarin said.
Store owner Steven Hansell says he's noticed a few new faces in the store since the story.
"I didn't expect the story to have the reach and impact that it did," Hansell said. "I mean, helping someone cross the street should be a normal everyday thing."
Abolarin recently started a video blog called TruthSpeak. The page is meant to find a resolution to things that divide people. He says he started the "vlog" because he wishes for a better world and refuses to believe it's impossible to have one.
As for the woman who took the picture, Abolarian wants to thank her.
“Thank you on behalf of all the employees there. Thank you for sharing it. That small action had a profound effect on a ton of people. Keep on doing it,” Abolarian said.
He also has this final message to everyone who saw the story and was impacted by it: "Thank you all on behalf of the employees. Please take initiative to understand people. Use your willpower to love all types of people, no matter who they are. Be selfless. If you want a better world, these are the things you have to do."
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