Lifestyle

Actions

California home security cameras captures kids paying it forward on Halloween

Posted
and last updated

A viral video showing security camera footage taken in Chula Vista, California on Halloween night may help restore your faith in the honor system. 

Kim Manalo's family joined the throngs of trick-or-treaters racing door-to-door in their neighborhood.  Manalo wanted to keep the spirit of Halloween alive at her home while they were out, so she left a bowl filled with candy outside their door with a note asking people to help themselves.  Her hope was that people would leave a treat for the next candy-seeker.

"We came home to an empty bowl and hoped there weren't greedy kids that didn't leave some behind for others," Manalo wrote on her post.

She studied security footage to see if perhaps someone grabbed more than their share of goodies. What Manalo found on her security camera video was a surprise that almost made her cry.

"Instead we found this clip of a wonderful soul who shared some candy from his own bag to keep the halloween spirit going for other kids," Manalo she wrote.

The video shows one of the boys reach into his bag and place some of his own candy in the bowl for the next trick-or-treaters. 

“He didn't even know the camera was there,” Manalo said. “None of his friends knew and to take that second out of his time from his own stuff just really warmed my heart.”

San Diego-based KGTV posted the surveillance video on Facebook after Manalo's friend shared the footage with reporter Joe Little.  The video has garnered hundreds of reactions, shares, and comments.

"If only all of us raised our children to be so thoughtful even when no one is seemingly looking. He will change the world someday if he keeps it up," wrote Jeremy Ellis.

The identity of the thoughtful boy remains a mystery, but numerous adoring Facebook fans are looking for clues to thank him for inspiring the spirit of community.