BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Celebrating a Neighborhood Treasure

By Karen Vine Fuller, Contributing writer | October 17, 2018

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Dozens of neighbors that are fans of Osman, the smiling shopping cart wrangler at the Walmart Neighborhood Store on Hillcroft, created a group collection and were able to present Osman with gifts of thanks including a laptop computer. (Pictured, from left) are Harry Lewis, Joanie Murland, Osman Hassan, Maribeth Murphy, Lee Murphy (not pictured: Gail Reaben).

This summer Joanie Murland was so moved by Osman Hassan, the cheerful and hardworking employee who wrangles grocery carts in the parking lot of the Neighborhood Walmart near Hillcroft and Braeswood, she posted a message singing his praises on Nextdoor. She soon discovered that Osman had lots of fans as more and more positive reviews and stories kept appearing. One of those responses came from Lee Murphy, a neighbor and customer who has become friends with Osman. Read more of neighbors’ positive responses and connections made here.

Realizing how many people appreciated Osman and his hard work, Lee was inspired to start a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to gift Osman with a laptop computer. Osman lives with his father and Lee knew access to a computer would be helpful to both.

Lee and Joanie – who became connected because of the Osman Nextdoor posting - recently shared an update. Thanks to donations collected from dozens of generous neighbors, the group was able to bless Osman with some special tokens of thanks.

Some neighbors met up with Osman after his shift to present him with his gifts, all of which Lee’s wife, Maribeth, had lovingly wrapped. The bounty included a laptop computer, backpack and headphones. There were also Visa gift cards for Osman to use for gas and food on his upcoming drive to visit his brother in Michigan whom he hasn’t seen in nearly 10 years.

Osman was overwhelmed by the computer and everything else. And so grateful for all of it.

The adoring neighbors weren’t the only ones who noticed Osman going the extra mile. Osman received an Employee Appreciation award and his boss treated him to lunch.

Through it all, Osman beamed his contagious, signature smile . . . the same one he’s nice enough to share every day with everyone, no matter what.

Best wishes to Osman and all of his fan club members.

Read The Gift of a Smile: Neighbors Inspired by Osman for more on this story.