January 27, 2021 is a day that forever changed a young Georgia boy’s life. Early that morning, a fire broke at the family home of Taeden Johnson in Athens, Georgia. The fire devoured the entire home, and while Taeden escaped unharmed, his grandmother, mother, and little sister were lost in the flames.

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Thankfully for Taeden, he had a best friend who immediately stepped in to offer support and comfort. 24-year-old Zac Hendrix is working some impressive miracles for Taeden and his extended family to help them through this impossible time. Zac and Taeden met four years ago through a partnership between the University Of Georgia and the Clark County Mentor Program.

He was randomly paired with the then third-grader, and the two would meet a few times a week at Taeden’s elementary school where they would have lunch together or throw the football during recess. After about a year Zac was cleared to participate in after-school activities with Taeden, and would take him to UGA basketball games and spend time with Taeden’s family. Zac shares with local Athens news station 11 ALIVE:

“We would go to University of Georgia basketball games, we would go shopping at the mall, we would just hang out with my buddies at my college house. Every week I was taking him to my church. Ultimately he became a best friend to me, and also in reverse to him. I was always there for the whole family, we’re all best friends, we’re all in this together.”

When Zac heard about the fire, he immediately showed up for Taeden, who is now staying with his other grandmother, and the entire Johnson family. When he arrived at the house, he said Taeden was racked with grief and shock.

“I’m grieving with him, we’ve cried this whole week with his family,” Zac he said. “Each day that I’ve been with him, the past two or three days since the tragedy, he is like, ‘Zac, can I just talk to you about what happened,’ like he is just wanting to release it.”

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Wanting to help the family who lost more than everything, Zac decided to set up a GoFundMe account so the community could help relieve some of the financial burden the family was facing. Zac spoke about the tragedy in the description of the campaign:

“This morning I received a call that no one wants to get. My mentee (Taeden Johnson’s) mother, grandmother, and little sister were all killed by a house fire. Taeden ran to the neighbors house while wounded himself to wake someone up to call 911 at 3:30 AM, as that happened; three family members were trapped inside and he completely lost EVERYTHING in the home.

“As soon as I got the call I rushed up to Athens to make sure my best friend is okay and alive. By the Grace of God to see his smile saying, “I love you bro, you are just a few of the family I have left…” has left me crushed, but trusting God’s plan through this tragic event.”

Atlanta Falcons receiver Harry Douglas became aware of Taeden’s story and of the GoFundMe campaign and shared it through social media, which brought huge attention to the fund. Zac was hoping his efforts would raise at least $5,000 to help the family get back on their feet, but shockingly, the fund currently has $225,346.

Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett was so moved by Taeden’s story that he decided to gift the boy two tickets to tomorrow’s Super Bowl. In a press release the Falcons said:

“After hearing his story, Jarrett – with the help of the NFL – surprised Johnson via Zoom with two tickets to Sunday’s Super Bowl, as well as to encourage him to work hard, get good grades and believe in himself to achieve his NFL dream. The NFL is providing the tickets, while the Atlanta Falcons are providing transportation and hotel accommodations for Johnson.”

#SUPERBOWL SURPRISE: Watch as the @AtlantaFalcons' @GradyJarrett surprises this 12-year-old fan with tickets to the @NFL #SBLV after he recently lost 3 of his family members in a house fire. pic.twitter.com/7HTnp9eWot

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 5, 2021

Of the incredible support from the Athens community and the Falcons football team, Zac Hndrix says:

“I didn’t expect that. But my God is big. I didn’t know what the number would be but God gives, He has the ability to make anything His number.”

 

This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.

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