In January, Washington DC student Sanai Graden encountered homeless Alonzo Douglas Hebron on the streets of the American capital. Initially, Graden helped Hebron get medication and a hotel room, which was captured on video and went viral. This led to a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe to help raise funds for Hebron, which garnered over $400,000. However, despite Hebron having a criminal record, Graden continued to try and help him. But their contact began to dwindle as he dodged her and lost his phone.
Graden eventually decided to return the money raised as she was unable to get Hebron to comply with certain requirements, such as applying for identification documents. GoFundMe confirmed her decision, stating that without the cooperation of both parties, the funds could not be delivered to Hebron as intended.
Despite this setback, another GoFundMe page was created to raise $25,000 for Graden’s college expenses. However, it is uncertain what will happen with these funds at the moment. The situation went from positive to negative as Graden’s efforts to help Hebron were met with resistance and ultimately led to a breakdown in communication.
The story of Sanai Graden and Alonzo Douglas Hebron highlights the challenges faced by those who try to help those in need. While it can be rewarding to make a difference in someone’s life, it can also be difficult when they are unwilling or unable to cooperate with you. It is important for anyone who wants to help others do so in a responsible and effective way that considers all parties involved.
