This Formerly Homeless Man Shows What It Truly Means to Pay It Forward

Magic of Rahat has struck again!
It’s the third chapter of the YouTube star’s video series featuring a homeless man named Eric. And now, this incredible story has come full circle.
Back in March, Rahat orchestrated a “prank” on Eric that set him up to be a lottery winner. After scoring $1,000 in cash, Eric immediately wanted to share his prize. His heartwarming gesture touched so many viewers that they opened up their wallets and donated so much money ($44,000!) that Eric now has a furnished home that is completely paid for for the next year.
Now that he has a job and is no longer living on the streets, Eric is helping others in need — and his amazing act of kindness is captured in the video below.
With $1,000 of his own money, Eric approaches a homeless busker on a sweltering day and offers to pay for a hotel room. The man is suspicious at first, but ultimately takes up Eric on his kind offer.
At the hotel lobby, the two learn that the $1,000 will pay for a whole month at the hotel. When they get to the room (complete with air conditioning, a fridge, and a stove), the man is so overwhelmed that he breaks down in tears.
“I wanted to help,” Eric tells his new friend after a warm embrace. “And this is not the last time you’re going to see me.”
MORE: Watch The Magic Trick That’s Both Heartwarming and Baffling at the Same Time
According to a recent report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there are more than 610,000 people who do not have a roof over their heads. We need to do so much more to get our homeless Americans off the street. While it sounds like a daunting task, it can be done.
As you can see from Eric’s story, a little compassion can go a very long way.

Watch: A Graduation Day Surprise and Four Other Videos That Inspired Us in May

Ruby Robinson faced a bittersweet reality as she prepared to receive her degree from Columbia University’s engineering school last week. Ruby’s father, U.S. Army Capt. Keith Robinson, had been stationed in northern Afghanistan for the last six months, and she understood that he would not be able to make it to her commencement ceremony. At least she thought he would not make it. More than 14 hours and multiple flights later, Capt. Robinson arrived in time to hug his daughter after she shook hands with University President Lee Bollinger. Watch this touching moment and four other videos that inspired us this month.
Watch the full videos here:
Watch Why This Homeless Man Breaks Down In Tears After Walking Into His Friend’s House
This Army Dad’s Mission? To Attend His Daughter’s Graduation
Going ‘Round and ‘Round, This Water Wheel Is Ridding Baltimore’s Polluted Harbor of Its Trash
These Women Invented a Toy That Truly Includes Every Child
John Oliver Hosts What a Climate Change Debate Should Really Look Like

Watch Why This Homeless Man Breaks Down In Tears After Walking Into His Friend’s House

If you can think back to March, you might recall a certain video of a local homeless man named Eric “winning” the lottery. The incredible clip, created by popular YouTube star Magic of Rahat, touched of millions of viewers (15.7 million and counting), making grown men and women cry.
And now that Magic of Rahat has a new video, it looks like you might want to reach for that box of tissues once again.
As we mentioned previously, the original video created so much buzz and community support for Eric that thousands of online donations poured in. A whopping $44,000 was raised in three weeks — twice the initial goal of $22,000.
MORE: Watch The Magic Trick That’s Both Heartwarming and Baffling at the Same Time
When asked what he was going to do with the large sum, Rahat told his fans to “stay tuned for a follow-up to see what this money will do for Eric.”
Well, the follow-up is here — and we think it’s the most heartwarming one yet.
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In the video, Rahat breaks down where exactly the $44,000 in donations went: $11,000 for a year of rent; $3,700 for furniture and appliances; $2,900 for utilities, cable and insurance; $5,000 for supplies, clothes and food; and $21,400 in a joint bank account between Eric and himself (Rahat mentions that he won’t be taking a single penny).
Want even more great news? Eric mentions in the video that he has a job now, so it looks like he’ll be able to support himself, too.
Talk about a happy ending…

A Homeless Man Wins the Lottery, and 4 Other Videos That Inspired Us This Month

Magic of Rahat has made a living with his popular prank videos on YouTube. Most of the time, the laughs come at the expense of the people caught on camera. But he recently put his antics to good use and gave a homeless man in his neighborhood an unforgettable gift. Watch this and four other amazing videos that went viral this month.

Donations Pour in After Video of Homeless Man “Winning” the Lottery Goes Viral

Earlier this month, we shared with you the touching story of Eric, the selfless man without a home that “won” the lottery.
A video of the heart-touching event, created by popular online prankster Magic of Rahat, has been watched nearly 15 million times — provoking both grown men and women to cry. Rahat wrote on his Facebook page that he was flooded by so many messages and emails asking how they could help Eric that he set up an online fundraiser where people could donate money.
In less than three weeks, more than 2,600 people donated in excess of $42,000 to the online campaign — a massive $22,000 more than the original goal.
MORE: How You Can Help the Homeless with a Push of a Button
“I’m honestly blown away by your generosity. Stay tuned for a follow-up to see what this money will do for Eric,” Rahat wrote on Facebook. He added, “Regardless if you contributed, your viewership and sharing of this video have helped change a man’s life, and you should feel proud! Thank you!”
After the initial video went viral, Rahat answered questions on a Reddit Ask Me Anything, sharing that he’s taken Eric out to dinner at Olive Garden and even put him up in a hotel for two weeks. He also explained why he set up such an elaborate scheme instead of just giving away the money. (Rahat arranged for a store cashier to pretend that the lottery ticket given to Eric was a $1,000 winner. Eric could barely hold back his disbelief and after counting his money, he turned to Rahat in the most heartwarming way, “I would like to share it.”)
“I wanted to create a moment of magic with him winning the lottery,” Rahat wrote. “I could’ve just went up to him and gave him $1,000, but I wanted to do it in a unique way.”