Former professional basketball player Shaquille O’Neal’s touching and loving gesture helped provide a teenager struggling to find shoes with a bit of relief.

The world is full of hurting and struggling individuals. People in need are all around us. They may be a friend, neighbor or even a family member. You don’t have to go to another country to find someone who needs help. Go across the street, the hallway or to the next desk, and you’re likely to find a need, someone hurting in one way or another.

Shaq, the basketball Hall of Famer and NBA champion, is well known for his kind and generous deeds. He has been blessed and has found ways to bless others. 

Yet another way Shaq has helped his fellow man involves 16-year-old Jor’el Bolden. Jor’el has massive feet, and he wears size 23 shoes, according to the video posted on YouTube.

The problem with needing shoes that big is that stores do not typically carry that size. Because they are so rare, they are also expensive. So, as the video shows, Jor’el would walk around his house in his bare feet. 

When Shaq heard about Jor’el’s story, he sent boxes. Those boxes contained shoes and clothes from his wardrobe. Shaq literally gave the young man the shirt off his back. 

As the video points out, Shaq sent the young 20 pairs of size 22 shoes. 

In addition to Shaq, the community has also stepped up and has shown Jor’el and his family God’s love. Jor’el’s mother started a GoFundMe campaign to help with the price of shoes. Donations have been pouring in. It currently stands at more than $12,000. 

What a beautiful and unique way to show Jor’el and his family the love of God! This goes to show that when you find someone struggling, take action and work to meet that need. 

Colossians 3:12 “As saints of God, then, holy and dearly loved, let your behavior be marked by pity and mercy, kind feeling, a low opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, and a power of undergoing all things;”