Social media influencer Zachery Dereniowski, better known as MD Motivator online, is on a mission to improve lives. He’s often seen asking random people to give him a dollar or help him with a task before he gifts them something amazing.
Dereniowski recently shared a video of him meeting a young boy named Mubarek in Canada. He asked him if he would rather have $1,000 or an NBA mystery box. What happens after that question sets the scene for not only an amazing memory for Mubarek but also something life-changing.
MD Motivator Asked Young Mubarek To Choose Between $1,000 And A Mystery Box
Zachery Dereniowski – TikTok
When Mubarek was asked if he would rather have $1,000 or what’s in a “mystery NBA garbage box,” he chose the mystery box without hesitation. Dereniowski then asked him what his dream is, and Mubarek responded, “Go to the NBA.” He also told him he’s never been to an NBA game before.
The two then had a little chitchat before opening the box.
“What do your parents do?” Dereniowski asked. Mubarek responded, “They can’t find a job.” He was then asked how many siblings he has, and he responded, “seven.” He also revealed that he would like to go to the NBA so he can take care of his family when he’s older.
Zachery Dereniowski – TikTok
Dereniowski gave him one last chance to change his mind to take the money instead of the box, but Mubarek was ready to see what’s inside the box.
Inside the box was a note that read, “Congratulations. You are NOT going to school tomorrow because you are flying to Toronto to watch the Raptors play courtside.”
Mubarek held back tears of excitement. The two then shared a sweet moment and hugged before the video showed what happened after Mubarek told his father about the game.
“I should have chose the money,” Mubarek told Dereniowski. “Because he wants to use it for stuff. Groceries and stuff.”
Dereniowski then asked if Mubarek wanted to give the $1,000 in cash to his father and he said yes. The young boy was willing to give up his dream of seeing an NBA game to help his family, but Dereniowski wasn’t going to allow that, so he gifted him both options.
@mdmotivator “My dream is to make it to the NBA” 🥹❤️ #basketball #money #nba #surprise #africa #dream #happiness #wholesome ♬ original sound – Zachery Dereniowski
The video then showed some scenes from Mubarek’s time at the Raptors game.
He got to walk through their tunnel and onto the court, meet some of the players, and even shoot some hoops before watching the game from his courtside seats.
But that wasn’t the last of Dereniowski’s amazing surprises for Mubarek.
Zachery Dereniowski Set Up A GoFundMe For Mubarek
Zachery Dereniowski – TikTok
While Dereniowski was able to help the family out with some cash and ensure that Mubarek had a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Raptors game, he wasn’t done helping this young boy out. The influencer created a GoFundMe page to further help Mubarek out later in life.
“Mubarek is a 13 year old boy in Windsor, ON with a dream of making it to the NBA to take care of his family. After asking Mubarek, would he rather chase his dream or give his family the $1000, he decided to help his family, that includes 7 brothers and sisters and parents who are new immigrants and doing their best to currently find work,” the GoFundMe page description reads.
“We still surprised Mubarek with a once in a lifetime dream, bringing him to his first NBA game to see and meet the Toronto Raptors. Let’s all come together and show Mubarek and his family the power of the internet and bless them. 100% of the funds raised will go towards getting Mubarek a trust fund for once he is done high school so he can be on the right path in life. Be kind and love always.”
In just two days, more than 1,000 people donated nearly $35,000 thanks to the influencer and the generosity of strangers!
Zachery Dereniowski – GoFundMe
Dereniowski shared an update video on TikTok to show how Mubarek took the news of the GoFundMe page.
“I met the most amazing kid yesterday, and surprised him with the NBA,” he said in the video. “Mubarek chose an NBA mystery box instead of $1,000 cash.”
He went on to explain the details of what happened after that and that his father told him he should have taken the money to help out the family. Mubarek then decided to take the money instead of the NBA tickets, but Dereniowski said he can do both.
“What he didn’t know if that we set up a GoFundMe and in 24 hours, you raised over $25,000 for Mubarek,” Dereniowski said.
When the influencer told Mubarek about the GoFundMe, he looked shocked and shared his gratitude.
@mdmotivator “I got $25,000 for you” 🥹❤️ #money #kindness #fund #nba #college #family #support #surprise #wholesome ♬ original sound – Zachery Dereniowski
Dereniowski’s first video received more than 13 million views and the update video is quickly on its way to 1 million views after just 16 hours. Thousands of sweet sentiments and supportive words flooded the comment section of both videos that the influencer shared.
“This video gave me chills what an amazing person,” one person wrote. Another added, “Now why did I start crying when he made the bucket? Mubarek, looking forward to seeing you one day in the NBA.”