We focus our attention on an industry where a delayed game or disagreeable digital rights management policy can feel like the end of the world, but in reality, it’s all somewhat meaningless. One thoughtful nine-year-old boy from Dallas recently recognised that, and decided to donate a year’s worth of savings to buy smoke detectors for those in need. Hector Montoya had intended to spend the money on a PlayStation 4, but opted to invest the cash into the more important cause after learning about the dangers of house fires.
According to NBC, the youngster got the idea after hearing about the death of a mother and child who passed away due to their home not being properly equipped with a smoke detector. As such, the youth chose to spend his pocket money on over 100 of the life saving alarms, which the Grand Prairie Fire Department installed into the homes of folks in need. At the time, Montoya said that he simply planned to start saving for one of Sony’s next-gen machines again. However, his generosity touched neighbouring families, and he eventually received the reward that he deserved.
A follow-up report published on Easter Monday notes that a family from Collin County bought the boy the console that he craved in recognition of his kindness to others. They also donated an additional $150 to his smoke detector cause, which Montoya stresses that he’s committed to moving forwards. Romanticised as the story may be, this is a sobering reminder that there is more to life than video games, and that maybe we should all occasionally turn our attention to more important matters before engaging in yet another console debate.
[source nbcdfw.com, via nbcchicago.com]
Comments 29
blah blah blah that all may very well be true.. but guess what? I don't come to gaming news sites to be told it.. I come for um I don't know, games news? lol
http://global3.memecdn.com/honor_o_267727.jpg
@mitcHELLspawn
No need to be an ass about it.
The kid did a very heroic act and ended up getting rewarded by getting a PS4 anyways.
Sounds like gaming related news to me.
@mitcHELLspawn Thanks for the feedback. I think we focus on games 99.9% of the time, so I'm not opposed to the odd story like this slipping through. It'd obviously never be a focus, though.
@get2sammyb @kolma haha sorry guys I see my comment came out like an ass but I was actually just messing around, not serious at all. There's always room for articles like this.
So true. People act like video games are life and death sometimes. More than sometimes actually. This kid set an example we could all learn from. Nicely done kid.
People do take gaming way to seriously though, so much so they turn it into a spectator sport with flaming fan wars. I'm not one of those people who hates other consoles because I never take this stuff too seriously, despite it being a dedicated passion of mine. If I ever get to the point I start holding spite in my heart toward consoles I don't own, somebody slap me.
Good for him. The world could always use more thoughtful people like him. Glad to see he was rewarded for his selflessness as well.
It blows my mind that a 9 year old would do something like that. When I was 9 that would've never crossed my mind. The kid is a hero.. Get him a key to the city
That was very nice of that kid! he definittly is a nice person.
See! Sony fans are the most generous! They are superior!
Nice to see. I did something similar at that age, but I didn't donate that much. It was towards cancer treatment and research.
Kid doesn't understand, videogames are more than life itself, more than everything that can exist in our universe. And the thing is, if you do really good thing, you do it in secret or it's not really good thing.
How does a 9 year old even save up that much money? Definitley generous of him. That much money must have made him feel like Bill Gates.
claps hands Glad to hear a story like this
@mitcHELLspawn - Thanks for re-affirming my belief that the internet is full of nitwits. Well done.
@Gemuarto - What?
On topic; what an utterly brilliant, heart-warming story. It's great to see that there are still kids out there who aren't selfish little prigs - but instead are wonderful people. Well done, Hector!
This kid is my biggest fan right now. (Clapin My Hands)
Remixora: Why is the kid your biggest fan? What have you done?
I saved up money for a PS4 and then I bought a PS4. I did have to step over some burning poor people to get to the store. I thought that was pretty heroic of me.
Seriously, good on this kid. It's a good thing he did.
Nice story. Also there r far more important things going on in the world than calling people names because they like that or this machine in a so called 'fan war' or behaving like a spoiled child
I am amazed that some people doesn't have a simple thing as Smoke detector (then again I have one but, I haven't install it yet)
@Crimson_Ridley
Well first off all that would never had crossed my mind when i was 9 years old. To care so much for society and the people around you at that age is just amazing to me.
I see now that i wrote wrong to. I meant to say i'm HIS biggest fan right now.
Fire alarm master race
@Donald_M PMSL! You go, champ!
But yes, great story. Where are the "video games are evil, ban this sick filth" brigade when stories like this appear?
Of those 100 people its most likely they'll never need to use it and if they can't be bothered spending money on a simple life saving device then they're not going to buy replacement batteries either. Just a waste of money. If he is though 9 and can save up to buy a ps4 then he's obviously doing well. He should have donated a ps4 to the local fire station.
Great story and good on you, kid.
I like stories like these. Keep them coming!
This, along with dat ocolus rift grandmother story is just heartwarming to not just gamers everywhere. Heh, dis reminds me. I need to see about my smoke detector working.
It's a good thing the PS4 is in stock, it would probably have broken his heart if he ended up getting an xbox instead because of supply constraint. Just kidding. Cheers to that kid.
Nice article.
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