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‘Homeless’ YouTube video urges to ‘please help others’

Posted at 11:37 AM, Feb 26, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-26 11:37:47-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A pair of Glen Allen-based YouTube pranksters put aside their jokes when the weather turned deadly cold last month.

Mario Diaz and Matias Bueno spent $120 on coats at Rugged Wearhouse to hand out to the homeless in Richmond. They posted their video on YouTube with the tag line “Please help others.”

“The reason we made this video was to inspire others to help out the less fortunate when they have a chance, whether it is giving change or clothes,” Bueno said. “The video was recorded early January, in downtown Richmond when the temperatures were around 10 degrees.”

Bueno said the homeless man in the video often sleeps on Broad Street near the VCU campus. The man told Bueno he’d been on the street for two years.

“At the end of the video he started to cry and that’s when I realized that even though we didn’t do much for him, it was still enough to keep him warm and to make him felt loved,” Bueno said. “It was very heartwarming, Mario and I couldn’t hold back tears as we walked away.”

Bueno said he and Diaz plan to give out more clothes in the future.

“The point we are trying to make is that when you see someone less fortunate that needs help, don’t hesitate because you don’t know if you’re ever going to be in the same position and are going to need help,” he said.