Seventh Grader Sees Classmate Get Picked on for His Sneakers, Uses his Allowance to Buy Him a New Pair

Buffalo seventh grader Romello “Mello” Early was tired of students picking on his classmate Melvin Anderson about his shoes, so Mello used his allowance and surprised Melvin with some new Nikes at school.

Dean of Culture at Buffalo Creek Academy Charter School, Bryant Brown Jr. heard about the kind gesture from Melvin and decided to take a photo of the two boys. He posted the photo on social media and it went viral! CBS Evening News “On the Road” with Steve Hartman even came all the way to Buffalo to cover the story.

Mello believes no one should ever be bullied for their appearance. He didn’t expect anything in return for his kind gesture, but Sweet Buffalo thought both he and Melvin deserved to see some goodness come their way!

On our Sweet Buffalo segment (on News 4 Buffalo on Monday nights), we surprised Mello and Melvin with Air Jordan 1 sneakers, a gift from our friends at Sole High Sneakers, Billsthemed merch from the Totally Buffalo Store and two PS5s from Niagara Nightmares! The boys had no idea about any of the gfts and Mello was moved to tears when he received his PS5!

Mello also recently received the Jr. Community Quarterback Award from the Buffalo Bills! The award honors an individual who exemplifies leadership, dedication and commitment to improving the community in which they live.

We are so proud that Mello received this award and we are grateful to the Bills for recognizing children who exhibit acts of kindness like this.

Go Mello & Go Bills!