The holiday season is a time for giving and what better way to be reminded of this than a touching moment on the streets of New York City.
While visiting Times Square, tourist Jennifer Foster says she approached a homeless man without socks or shoes who was begging for change on a particularly chilly night. As she continued, Foster noticed police Officer Larry DePrimo kneeling down to put a brand new pair of thermal socks and all-weather boots on the man.
DePrimo made the $75 purchase at a nearby Skechers store.
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The photo, snapped by Foster, was posted Tuesday night to the New York Police Department’s official Facebook page and has received more than 500,000 “likes,” nearly 200,000 shares and tons of beautiful comments.
On Thursday, DePrimo spoke out about the kind act that he says he didn’t even think about. The 25-year-old officer recalls having on two pairs of socks himself– and his feet were freezing.
“[The man] didn’t even have a pair of socks on and I could only imagine how cold that pavement was.” he explained. DePrimo said the man smiled from ear to ear upon receiving the boots, as if he had been given a million dollars.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly honored DePrimo on Thursday, presenting him with a special set of cuff links.
