You’ve likely seen the headlines about the generous Alabama farmer by now. For about 10 years, Hody Childress helped people in his town pay for their pharmacy expenses. On the first day of every month, he would hand a folded $100 bill to the owner of Geraldine Drugs, with the understanding that she would use the money to help people who couldn’t pay their drug store bills. No one found out about the good deeds until his death on Jan. 1.

Now his legacy lives on through the generosity of others. Childress’ family said they wished to keep the fund going. People in Geraldine began walking in, wishing to make their own contributions. But it didn’t stop there. Donations started rolling in from across the country. The pharmacy received phone calls and letters with $100 bills.

One letter from Maryland reads in part:

“Bringing an 80 year old to tears and joy within the reading of one article reminded that there is good where hate has been spewed, hope where darkness has prevailed and that good is a family value learned well,” the letter reads. “Kindness goes a long way especially coupled with acceptance.”

Here is the story of how one man inspired the world and how his fund continues to grow.