Durham 5-year-old forgoes toys to feed homeless for fifth birthday

Durham resident Jeremiah Smith told his grandma, Gidget Smith, that all he wanted for his 5th birthday was to feed people experiencing homelessness.

On Friday, they did just that.

“I thought he was going to name toys, but he didn’t. He wanted to feed the homeless ... so as a family we came together and wanted to make this happen for him,” said Smith.

Although his real birthday was Tuesday, the family celebrated with Jeremiah on Friday at the corner of Fayetteville Street and Piedmont Avenue, outside of Fisher Memorial Church.

The family filled folding tables with food and balloons to mark the event.

Jeremiah and his family received their own surprise while handing out food - a Durham police officer stopped by.

The birthday boy’s dream is to be a police officer when he grows up. He was able to meet the officer and sit in the patrol car.

Jeremiah’s family said they can’t be prouder.

“Oh my God, words can’t even express how proud we all are of him,” said Smith, “He has a very big heart. He likes for everybody to be together. That’s what we’re trying to promote now, just being together.”

Fans of Jeremiah took to twitter to express their excitement.

One Twitter use wrote, “Love this!! You go Jeremiah, you have a bright future ahead of you!!!”