It was important to Gerrell for people to know "a low income black man from Tacoma with a 5-year-old daughter" returned the money. He hopes this can help "reverse stereotypes."

Gerrell McAllister is a 28-year-old cashier at a natural pet food store in Tacoma, Washington, and a father to his 5-year-old daughter. McAllister and his family have fallen on hard times recently. Gerrell McAllister Gerrell with his daughter Gerrell McAllister Gerell's late mother

His mother died in December, and according to his older brother, Mario Small, it has hit McAllister especially hard. He told BuzzFeed News he's been healing from the loss — but he's mostly focused on caring for his daughter.

Last Thursday, McAllister had a serendipitous encounter with a 30-year-old sales executive from Seattle named Melissa Trusler, and herwhere it was from."

But he said he instinctively issued a full refund to the sender (Trusler's dad) within a few minutes, along with a note that read, "Tell her I said happy birthday." Melissa Trusler Melissa Trusler

McAllister said he'd previously received a mistake payment a month ago for $55 — which he also sent back — but this time he realized they were coming from the same last name. "Returning the money was instinctive because of the values my mom instilled in me," he said. "I’m trying to be the best person and provide the best example for my daughter." Trusler said her dad was surprised to see the payments returned so quickly, so he asked his daughter to send McAllister a thank-you note.

After Trusler thanked McAllister for