Unemployed Veteran Spent Months Standing Roadside — Expresses His Gratitude To Locals With Sign

Dec 07, 2021 by apost team

Have you ever noticed someone standing on the side of the road holding a sign? This is something that people do to help get their message across, whether it’s advertising their new business that just opened down the street or perhaps something more serious. However, it’s common for people to just ignore these signs and go about their day, not wanting to accidentally give in to some kind of scam or anything negative.

On the other hand, sometimes the people holding these signs are in serious need of some help and assistance. For a man by the name of Kevin, he was used to standing on the side of the road a few days a week holding a sign, asking for people’s help. Kevin, from West Seneca, New York, gave a bit of his backstory in the message he wrote on his sign to let anyone passing by understand what he was going through and what he hoped the next stage of his life would be.

People grew accustomed to seeing Kevin throughout the week. Every now and then, someone would stop to help the man, whether it was handing him something to eat or drink or even giving him money. The neighborly help went a long way, as Kevin was finally able to put up a new sign on the street corner in April 2021, explaining that he was ready for the next chapter in his life. 

More importantly, he took the time to thank everyone who helped him along the way. Read on to find out more about this man’s journey and the help he received along the way.

More often than not, the majority of people suspect that those who stand on the side of the road holding a sign asking for help or money are typically homeless. While WKBW reported that Kevin wasn’t suspected to be homeless, there are many others who are and in need of help. According to the Homeless Alliance of Western New York, there were close to 7,000 homeless folks in the area back in 2019.

Fortunately, there are resources available to help people get the help they need, whether it’s housing, clothing, food, or a new job opportunity. On top of that, there are also neighbors and other passersby willing to help if they are able to. 

Kevin is one of those people who were desperately in need of a new job. According to WKBW, Kevin typically held a sign while standing on the side of a road in West Seneca, explaining that he was both drug- and alcohol-free and that he also used to be in the military. He was looking for work.

During his time seeking help, Kevin received some assistance here and then from a few people, one of which was Jesse Dixon. He said that he had seen Kevin standing at his usual corner pretty often. “If I didn’t see him for two or three days at a time it was unusual,” he said. “I usually saw him a couple times a week.” Dixon and his family had previously given Kevin money the past, as well as some snacks and drinks.

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In April 2021, a new sign was spotted at the corner of Potters Road and Slade Avenue in West Seneca, where Kevin usually stood. It shed some light on the man’s new situation. The sign, written by Kevin, read:

“Thank you everyone who has helped. I start working Monday.” 

According to WKBW, Kevin got a job with a landscaping company the week before and put the sign up to let everyone who helped him know just how grateful he was for all that they did for him during his time of need. He had frequented the street corner for a few months, and it was clear that all of his determination and all of the assistance from others went far.

“I’m really glad to hear that he’s found some work,” Dixon said. “He’s just a nice guy. It seems like he’d fallen on hard times so we were just trying to help him through it.”

Megan Bingham is the co-chair of the Project Homeless Connect annual event. The event helps people who are struggling to find work and somewhere to live access all of the community resources they need. Bingham said that she was thrilled to hear about Kevin’s story and shared her thoughts on his new situation. “Here’s a man who was so grateful that he left a sign,” she said. “It gives me goosebumps.”

While it’s unclear just how many people helped Kevin, it’s evident that the man is eternally grateful for the support he received during the period of time he was really struggling.

What did you think about this inspirational story? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family and friends, too.