Waterworks Q!
@charlie via tiktok @charlie . via tiktok
A TikTok user changed the life of a Starbucks barista in a TikTok video that has gone viral by highlighting mental health struggles and the power of telling one’s story.
TikTok user Charlie Rocket posted a video in which a girl (who goes by @Perri on TikTok) and her friend walk through a Starbucks drive-thru asking a barista named Manny what her dream is about in life.
He tells the girls that he wants to buy a car, which will cost around $1,000.
Manny also says he’s battling depression, and the driver tells him she can “look around at him.”
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The two girls then go buy flowers and a toy car that they hide for $1,000 before heading back to Starbucks to revisit the barista and give her the surprise of her life.
@charlie wow this made me cry. You never know what someone is doing #fypp #positivity #starbucks The lights are on – Tom Rosenthal
“I’ve never had flowers before,” Manny says heartily before opening the box with the money and immediately bursts into tears. “Today I had suicidal thoughts and didn’t feel like waking up.”
“Love you so much,” Perry tells him. “Your face will be shining again.”
The heartwarming video has garnered 27.5 million views and over 5.7 million likes.
Users in the comments were blown away by Manny’s honesty and Perry’s kindness.
“You just saved a life,” wrote one TikToker. “Kinds are key people.”
“He will never forget this moment,” said another. “bless him”
Hundreds of users wrote that they “went to tears” and were “crying”, prompting others to share their struggles with mental health and show their support for Manny.
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“From someone who struggled with depression and anxiety,” wrote one user. “Thank you for fighting every day. I promise good days will come.”
The TikTok account also posted a link to a fundraiser to help Mani get a new car.
“Manny is a Starbucks barista in high school who is battling depression and anxiety. He takes the bus to work everyday because he doesn’t have the financial means to buy a car,” the fundraising page reads. “We started by giving him $1,000, but we set him a goal of raising $10,000 to get a nice car.”
Page’s goal was set for $15,000, but by Wednesday afternoon, it had been exceeded, raising more than $28,000 for Barista.
