When Ta Leia "Ace" Thomas saw the man digging through the garbage before strapping boxes onto his feet as makeshift shoes, she didn't hesitate.

The Brooklyn Center Liquor store employee ran after the man, took off her own shoes — retro Jordans, her favorite pair — and gave them to the man. She then went back to work, according to a CBS News story.

When her boss came back from lunch, he couldn't help but notice Ace was going about her job, stocking shelves and helping customers — but was doing so in nothing but her socks.

She explained what had happened, which didn't surprise store operations manager Tom Agnes one bit. That is exactly the kind of person she is, he told the media.

But what is unusual, the story notes, is that the act of kindness was captured on the store's security system. After getting Ace a new pair of shoes, he found the footage and uploaded it on social media to share the act of kindness with others.

It quickly went viral.

However, Ace downplayed her kindness, telling the CBS News reporter that it had been an easy decision.

"I was always taught to help others," she told the reporter. "You never know what their problem is or what they are going through."

Wanting to replace Ace's favorite shoes — the same shade of purple as her beloved Minnesota Vikings — Agnes and a few friends banded together to come up with the money to replace them.

But, then, he noticed that Ace was always posting on social media about her mom and asked why she was so worried about her. That was when Ace told him she didn't have a bed, so Ace had her sleep in her bed while she slept on the floor.

Instead of the new shoes, Agnes gave Ace the money to buy another bed, instead.

Thomas told the reporter that she hopes the tale inspires others to be kind.

"If my shoes can make somebody's world a better place, you can have them. Shoes can always be replaced," she told the reporter. "Everybody in the world deserves to be loved," she said.

Today's generous donation, totaling $836, comes from employees at Co-Op, who donated $418. The company matched the donations.

Donations to date total $14,097.43.

Each year, the Sandpoint Lions set a $50,000 goal — the same as it has been in past years — to buy Christmas gifts for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between.

The Lions make the most of the donations by shopping for bargains and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the Toys for Tots program. Applications are available at Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den.

Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; the Ponderay Starbucks; and the Ponderay Mountain West Bank.

Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118