CHICAGO — The manager of a Michaels store in Chicago says she is in "utter shock" after a viral video of a customer ranting at her was seen around the world and inspired thousands of people to donate money to her.
And she says she hopes the woman who ranted on the video is OK.
Last week, shopper Jessie Grady was in the Lakeview Michaels with her daughter when a customer began berating workers who asked if she wanted to purchase a bag.
RELATED: Ex-Employer Of Michaels Ranter Speaks Out After Racist Video Backlash
The store manager, Holli, calmly asked the customer to leave and maintained her composure, even as the customer called her and another employee "animals" in a 45-minute tirade.
Grady, completely disgusted by the customer's behavior, posted the video on Facebook and started a GoFundMe for the manager in an effort to "show her that many people are horrified by how this woman treated her, and that we stand with her and appreciate her hard work."
As of Friday, Grady's video of the tirade had been viewed nearly 4 million times, and the GoFundMe had raised more than $32,000 for Holli.
"I am in utter shock," Holli wrote in a letter posted on the GoFundMe page. "You have all single-handedly changed my life. Each of you have shown me that this world is worth living in. I have felt so misguided in a sense of why can't I get past where I am. I've tried to be kind, I've tried to be fair, I've tried to share regardless if I was able to. I want others to smile when I smile back at them. Knowing deeply we all have a higher purpose."
According to Grady, the manager is an "inspiring" and "creative" woman who put her small design business on hold to work as a manager at Michaels to support her family.
As part of her small business, she knits scarves and hats for homeless teens in Chicago every year, Grady said. The manager also told Grady she wants to obtain a degree in psychology so she can become a guidance counselor for the city's youth.
In an interview with CBS2, Holli said she plans to rent space so she can get her business up and running, and help others sell their wares.
"With your support I have been blessed with the opportunity to live and not just survive daily. I can properly provide for my family and meet all our children's needs. I will now have the ability to get my business up and running in order to provide a better future for us. And I can still give back to my community even more now."
When asked by CBS what she would say to the woman who screamed at her?
"I just hope she'll be ok," Holli said. "We can't live like this in this world ... we have to love each other."
Read the entire letter from Holli here:
I'll start with this. I am in utter shock. You have all single handedly changed my life. Each of you have shown me that this world is worth living in. I have felt so misguided in a sense of why can't I get past where I am. I've tried to be kind, I've tried to be fair, I've tried to share regardless if I was able to. I want others to smile when I smile back at them. Knowing deeply we all have a higher purpose. How can I help!!
For some time now, I've felt this overwhelming sense of failure. I want to make a positive change in this world. I know what I'm here for and that's to help others reach their higher potential. With your support I have been blessed with the opportunity to live and not just survive daily. I can properly provide for my family and meet all our children's needs. I will now have the ability to get my business up and running in order to provide a better future for us. And I can still give back to my community even more now.
You have personally contributed to SO much more than you could possible know.
I ask that you please forgive me as I'm a little afraid to make a public video. Just know that from my soul to yours. You will be blessed for this act of unconditional kindness. I never thought my ginormous dreams would become a reality so soon and at the hand of others, but with your support I can now take the steps needed to build a better future. Because of you this dark world has a lot more light in it.
Not to preach at you or push spirituality at you. That being said I pray that you gain real fulfillment in your life. I don't know you but I love you. It's weird to some people but whatever, I believe we are one people so if I love myself therefore I love you. We've been taught that what we do unto others, we receive in return.
A great teacher of mine has said "All forms of pain, suffering, illness or financial chaos are there to promote spiritual growth and character change." We are the change. You are this change. We stand together side by side in truth and know love trumps hate. Blessings to you may your light continue to break through the darkness.
-Yours sincerely Jony AKA Holli
