A simple act of kindness at a local bagel shop has blossomed into an international friendship that spans continents. In 2024, while concluding a meeting at Johnny’s Bagels in south Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Fred P. Rooney, an attorney and advocate for access to justice, was approached by employee Nelson. He introduced Rooney to a Lehigh University student named Steven, who was stranded due to a car that would not start. Accompanied by his mother, Lancy, who was visiting from China, Steven’s predicament led to an unexpected connection that would change their lives.
Rooney learned that Steven’s car was parked on Montclair Street. After confirming that it wouldn’t start, he offered to use his AAA membership to call for help. Within 30 minutes, a tow truck arrived, revealing that the issue was a dead battery. Rooney paid for a new battery, much to the relief and gratitude of Steven and Lancy. He expressed that he understood the importance of lending a hand, recalling personal experiences that echoed the sentiment of “one good deed deserves another.”
As they walked back down the hill, a significant moment occurred when Lancy communicated with Steven in Chinese, leading to an invitation for Rooney to visit their family in China. Lancy shared that her family owns hotels in Beijing, extending a warm welcome for future visits. Rooney graciously accepted the invitation, hoping to explore China someday.
The following summer, Lancy returned to Bethlehem to spend time with Steven, who was attending summer classes. Eager to contribute to the community, she volunteered at the Church of the Nativity Thrift Shop. Their bond deepened as Rooney enjoyed their company and witnessed Lancy’s passion for helping others.
When Steven sought a summer internship in the Lehigh Valley, Rooney recalled Jose Nicolas “Nicolas” Conil, a successful entrepreneur from the Dominican Republic. Recognizing the potential for synergy, he contacted Nicolas, who promptly agreed to offer Steven an internship opportunity. This connection proved to be fortuitous, as Nicolas was already expanding his business interests in China.
The unexpected intersection of Steven’s needs and Nicolas’s ambitions left Rooney reflecting on the power of kindness and gratitude. He noted that the appreciation extended by Lancy and her husband, Wang Wei, was profound, leading to plans for a long-awaited trip to China.
On January 6, 2026, Rooney, Nicolas, and his partner, Karina, arrived in Beijing, welcomed by Steven, Lancy, and Wang Wei. The experience marked a significant moment in Rooney’s life, transforming a chance encounter over a dead battery into a celebration of international friendship and goodwill.
The journey from Johnny’s Bagels to China exemplifies how seemingly small acts of kindness can pave the way for lasting relationships. For Rooney, witnessing the joy that arose from this chain of events affirmed his belief in the importance of helping others and the meaningful connections that arise from such gestures. As this story illustrates, the blessings of serendipity can lead to profound and unexpected outcomes, enriching lives across cultures and continents.
