In a society where it seems like the entire world is out to get, well, everybody, sometimes a light shines through the darkness, a beacon of hope for a lost humanity. Then again, maybe that’s a little dramatic. It’s just nice to be reminded every once in a while that people do still care about each other.

A couple of weekends ago I went downtown with a couple of my friends to go to Buffalo Exchange. It was a University of Texas game day, so parking was nearly impossible.

I ended up parking in a lot in front of a small strip of stores behind Toy Joy on Guadalupe Street. We were only in the store for, at most, 20 minutes, but when we came back outside to leave, my car had disappeared.

After a few long minutes of freaking out, I was told by the owner of one of the shops that he had called and had my car towed. I called the number of the company and was informed it would cost me nearly $200 to get my car back.

I’m a college student. I don’t have that kind of money. Feeling helpless and miserable, I sat on the curb and started crying.

A couple of minutes later, a man walked up to the me and my friends. He asked me what was wrong, and I tearfully told him my car had been towed and that I didn’t have enough money to get it back. He asked me how much it cost to get it back, and I told him. He asked one of my friends to follow him for a minute.

He returned a few minutes later and pressed a wad of money into my hand. It was $200.

“Go get your car back,” he said.

I thanked him, and he told me not to worry about it. He told me his name was Mitch Sweeney and then walked away after bidding me good night.

I don’t know why this complete stranger decided to give me $200 of his hard-earned money. I don’t even know if he gave his real name. All I know is that his action meant the world to me in that moment, and I know that I must now somehow help someone out, whenever I have the opportunity, to return the favor.

People often get so caught up in their own lives that they forget about doing kind things just for the sake of kindness. So please, the next time you see someone having a problem, don’t remark “I’m glad that’s not me.” Just help them.

By doing something nice for someone, whether you know them or not, you brighten the world around you. In these selfish times, the kindness of humanity means more than ever, and any light brought into this world is worth it.