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Stoney Creek man is showing us that being nice pays. Godfrey Coutto was rewarded today. He’s the man whose picture went viral after helping a disabled man on a Hamilton bus a couple of weeks ago. And today, 21 year old Godfrey Coutto was presented with $2000 at McMaster University by the Amalgamated Transit Union for his act of kindness.

“Getting cheques is unbelievable. I’m ecstatic. I’m so grateful, I didn’t expect that at all, two cheques? I’m like what?

Amalgamated Transit Union says there are acts of kindness on Hamilton buses every day, but none of them have attracted the attention that Godfrey’s actions have.

The picture of Godfrey and a man named Robert who has cerebral palsy, was posted on Facebook a couple of weeks ago. It was shared all over the world on social media and by North American news outlets. The union that represents bus drivers says Godfrey’s act deserves recognition.

“ATU stands for Amalgamated Transit Union, but we also, in training our new operators, we instill in the the acceptance, tolerance and understanding. Serving the public, it’s important we have that philosophy and promote it out in the community.” said ATU 107 President Eric Tuck.

“People are gratified to have a person like Godfrey represent the university in this way.” said McMaster University Sociology Department Chair Gregory Hooks.

Advice from Godfrey’s mother, Maria Lopez, on how to raise a fine gentleman? “Screaming isn’t going to work, just talk calm, just pinch them a little bit.”

Godfrey says he’ll put some of the money in savings, some towards his education. “It’s just made me more conscious of being nice, you should be nice in the first place. I just hope that message gets across.”

Godfrey says his first reward was knowing he offered comfort to a man who needed it.