A TikToker says he encountered two siblings asking drivers for money at a gas station in Texas after watching several people turn them down. The 15-year-old boy and his younger sister told him their mother had been deported three months earlier and that they were trying to earn enough money to cover a hotel room and basic expenses. The encounter later turned into a viral fundraising effort.
The video was shared on TikTok by @solomartinesjr6 and received nearly two million views, with countless commenters offering to help the siblings. The TikToker said he approached the boy after noticing that he looked discouraged while asking people for help.
During their conversation, the 15-year-old, identified later as Pedro, explained that his mother had been deported three months earlier. He said his father was staying at a hotel, while he and his younger sister were trying to make money to help pay for the room and keep up with their bills.
The TikToker asked whether Pedro had Cash App and shared the account with his followers. He said he wanted to give viewers a chance to help, especially after seeing several people turn the Texas siblings down at the gas station.
In a follow-up video, the TikToker said he spoke with Pedro and his family over the phone before asking the teenager to check his Cash App balance. According to the TikToker, Pedro became excited after seeing that donations had reached $600, but Cash App then stopped accepting additional payments.
The family later provided Venmo and Zelle information. The TikToker and his partner also created a GoFundMe campaign, which he said was their first time organizing a fundraiser for someone else. He acknowledged that they were still figuring out how the process worked and how the money would eventually reach the family.
The TikToker also addressed viewers who questioned whether the story was legitimate. He maintained that the fundraiser was genuine and said he was not trying to scam anyone or misuse donations.
As the video spread, he said thousands of people began commenting and messaging him about the family. Some viewers asked where the Texas siblings could be found so they could help them directly. The TikToker declined to share their location, explaining that the children had asked him not to reveal it when he first met them. He planned to meet them again for an interview and discuss other ways viewers could help if the family was comfortable.
Viewers Rally Around Texas Siblings
The fundraising response continued to grow, with commenters saying they had tried sending money and others asking for the GoFundMe link. Viewers also reported seeing the fundraiser climb past $100,000 and later reach around $137,000.
Many viewers thanked the TikToker for stepping in, while others said the situation brought them to tears and encouraged people to donate whatever they could. “He’s not even asking for money. He is working! He’s asking for work. My heart is breaking. Life is not fair!” one user wrote. Others repeatedly warned against posting the children’s location, saying strangers showing up could put the Texas family at risk.
For donors, though, there was one major problem: Cash App stopped accepting payments, leaving everyone scrambling for the GoFundMe link.
