Chester County

ACME President's Random Act of Kindness Helps Single Mom

In case you were doubtful, there are still good people in the world. Just ask Anne Nicol, a 43-year-old  single mother of two from Coatesville, who was the recipient of a stranger's kindness outside a Chester County grocery store.

Nicol was in the parking lot of the GIANT in Thorndale Tuesday morning when she noticed something was wrong with her truck.

"I was supposed to go to my kid's school and I was just going to run to the grocery store real quick," Nicol said. "I pulled in and the truck didn't sound right to me." 

After turning off the engine and attempting to turn it back on, Nicol realized her truck's battery had died. Not knowing what to do, she called a friend who suggested she put up the hood of her car and hope that someone helped.

Within a minute, someone did -- and that someone was Jim Perkins, president of ACME. Yes, ACME, GIANT's competitor.

"I went into the store to do a competitive check, check the competition," Perkins told NBC10. "I came back out and saw a hood up and a lady by herself."

Perkins walked up to Nicol, introduced himself and handed her his business card. Nicol said Perkins' polite and direct demeanor, as well as his nice car which he pulled around, convinced her he was who he said he was.

"He immediately put his hand out, shook it and gave me his business card," Nicol said. "He was clean cut and looked me in my eye." 

After checking under the hood, Perkins swung into action.

"He immediately jumped into action, locating jumper cables from a GIANT employee and jumping my truck," said Nicol.

But Perkins didn't stop there. He used his GPS to find the nearest auto parts store, Advanced Auto Parts, which was located across the street.

"I could tell that she needed more help than that so I asked her to just follow me into Advanced Auto Parts," Perkins said.

Perkins explained the situation to the auto store's employee, Mike, and both men went outside to access the truck, Nicol said.

"I thought Jim had left because he gave me his card with his cell phone number on the back," Nicol said. "I thanked him and gave him a hug."

To Nicol's surprise, Perkins reappeared moments later with a brand new set of jumper cables.

"Compliments of ACME," Perkins told Nicol. "You cant be out there without jumper cables." 

Perkins then stayed with Nicol as the workers checked her car.

"She had some things to take care of so I just said, 'Let me just stay with you until we get it done,'" Perkins said.

Yet as kind as Perkins had been to her, Nicol was still shocked by what happened next. Perkins walked over to the service counter and tossed his credit card onto Mike's keyboard.

"I got this," Perkins said. "Get her whatever she needs. Just make sure she's taken care of." 

Knowing Nicol was short on cash, Perkins paid for the new battery she needed for her truck. Mike replaced the battery and she was on her way. Nicol told NBC10 Perkins' actions brought her to tears.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart," she said. "Kindness in humanity does prevail."

Perkins gave a simple explanation for his actions.

"I like to do good deeds when I can and she certainly looked like she could use the help," Perkins said. "So I stopped and helped her."

He also told NBC10 he hoped his good deed could inspire others during the Holiday season.

"If we find people in need, let's help each other out," he said. "It makes the world a better place." 

Nicol told NBC10 she plans to take what Perkins did for her and "pay it forward" by doing a good deed for someone else.

"Jim is a true inspiration to all of us and I would only hope that his kindness will inspire others to just be kind," she said. "That's all we need to keep fostering in this crazy world today. Whether it's rioting in the streets, hunger, domestic violence, or just a simple broke single mom with a dead battery in the grocery store parking lot, just be kind to one another. Not just this season, but throughout the year. There is plenty of kindness in all of us to snuff out the negative and make things better for everyone."

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