As grotesque as the general landscape is out there, it’s important to remember that not everyone is a craven opportunist hoping to misdirect people from their blackened hearts.
Case in point: Openly gay actor Chris Salvatore, who, apropos of nothing, has taken in his 89-year-old neighbor Norma Cook (and her cat Hermes.)
Norma is suffering from leukemia and pneumonia, and she moved into her friend’s home in late 2016.
What’s more, the 31-year-old Eating Out star has raised $50,000 towards her ongoing care.
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These two have been friends for several years, and she’s even occasionally helped him cruise Grindr, as any good neighbor would.
Related: WATCH: Chris Salvatore Cruises Grindr With Octogenarian Gal Pal Norma
Speaking to TODAY, Salvatore said:
The nurses and doctors told her that it would be a miracle if she lived past the holidays, so the fact that she’s still thriving is just a really great thing. She’s doing great. If you could see her right now, she looks so cute on the couch with her feet propped up. She just hangs out on my couch and watches TV.
Here’s an update recently posted to Salvatore’s Instagram:
We are reaching the 2 month mark since my neighbor Norma has come home from the hospital.
I am so happy to share that she is continuing to prove the doctors and nurses wrong by continuing to THRIVE!
To prolong the remaining funds to prevent her from having to be moved into a county facility, Norma and I have decided to move her into my apartment across the hall where she now has her own beautiful room and bathroom! She loves it!
I do most of my work at home so I am here most of the time to care for her so it only made sense to the both of us. She is my adopted grandmother and I am her grandson she never had. ?
We will still have caregivers coming in to care for her as well as her weekly hospice visits from the nurses and doctors. I just wanted to let you all know Norma loves reading your comments and I seriously think all the support and love is keeping her healthy. Now who wants to come to dinner?
derek mcgillicuddy
What a nice boy!
When people condemn us for whom we love, I always say that I agree completely: there is entirely too much love in the world right now and we have to put a stop to it. Goes over their heads usually.
UWSguy
Confirms what I always imagined about CHRIS: he’s a nice guy. I hope his good deeds inspire others.
nitejonboy
What a wonderful man!! God bless him, and her!! She is thriving now because of HIM!! This has made my day!!
Chris
Great guy!
Bunnco
Be careful Chris she looks like she still has a lot of spark left in her. Another couple months with you and she’s gonna want to go clubbing! God love you what a wonderful thing to do.
kehvan
It’s too bad more people don’t do that, instead of wishing the government do something.
barkomatic
What a kind thing he is doing for her. Quite inspiring.
throwslikeagirl
They’re both beautiful– inside and out.
JerseyMike
Coo
MaxTaste
Heartwarming story, albeit depressing since I’ve gotten so old that I have no idea who this child actor is.
Evji108
Google him, it’s what one does these days.
seaguy
NBC nightly news aired their story but made not mention of his sexuality. I said to myself “he’s gotta be gay”. Called that one right. It is great what he has done and is doing for this woman. Many elderly live in isolation because of issues such as no local family, pride, health, financial. And living in isolation like that is never good for them.
lellgee
Aww that made my day, what a lovely sweet friendship, wishing you both all the love in the world! xxx
myloginname
It’s always nice when they’re pretty on the inside and the outside. That goes for Norma too. xoxo
FnameLname
This is how we know that America is already great and does not need to be made “great again”. People like Chris Salvatore are on every block, in every town, in every city in the United States. Displaying random acts of kindness and opening your home to loved ones are how we know that American’s are compassionate, empathetic people who believe in giving love and respect to others. America is founded on this principle, a gathering of people from all over the world residing side by side proving that no matter where you are from people basically want the same things and that people are basically good at heart.
tricky ricky
an incredibly sweet story.
crowebobby
What everyone else has said.
crowebobby
Not really apropos of this, but in Germany conscientious objectors can choose to do meals on wheels, reading to the elderly kind of work. I’m not that far away from needing something of this sort; wish I could be looking forward to a young German boy coming ’round once a week.
Shannon1981
What an inspiring story! Even in our darkest hours, there’s plenty of goodness and light out there. So sweet!
Alan down in Florida
My God nobody had anything bad or snarky to say. Can this possibly be Queerty?
Billy Budd
This is so beautiful.
Izzy55
A good guy with a good heart.