It's Easy to See Why a Photo of a Store Employee's Act of Kindness Toward an Elderly Man Has Gone Viral

It was a momentary and relatively small act of kindness, but it caught Keith Kiel's eye in a big way.

So much so that he was compelled to grab his iPhone and take a photo of the act in progress: an employee at a Publix supermarket in Ormond Beach, Florida, lowering himself to the floor to tie the shoe of an elderly man who couldn't bend down.

Image source: Facebook

Kiel noted that the employee carried out his good deed "with a smile."

So impressed was Kiel that he believed the employee should be recognized for his actions and got his name — Gage Boucher — from the store manager.

Image source: WSYX-TV

The photo and story behind it is resonating with many others. Since Kiel described on Facebook what he saw on Aug. 9, his post has received nearly 200,000 likes and more than 15,000 shares.

"I work next door," commented Deborah Clinton. "This kid is always happy, helping people and singing while pulling the carts in from the sidewalks."

"So many times people act like old people are an inconvenience or just invisible that is is wonderful to see," noted Sandra Pullen. "Fine young man!

Kiel told WXIA-TV in Atlanta that he took the photo "because it was so unusual to see this in a person."

This story has been updated with video and an additional image.