Man Gets 5,000 Calls After YouTube Post

(AP)  Ryan Fitzgerald is unemployed, lives with his father and has a little bit of time on his hands.

So, he decided to offer his ear, to anyone who wants to call. After posting a video with his cell phone number on YouTube on Friday, the 20-year-old told The Boston Globe he has received more than 5,000 calls and text messages.

Fitzgerald said he wanted to "be there," for anyone who needed to talk. "I never met you, but I do care," a spiky-haired Fitzgerald said into the camera on his YouTube posting.

He planned to take and return as many calls he could, but on Monday at 5 a.m., his T-Mobile cell phone payment will begin charging him for his generosity when he is no longer eligible for free weekend minutes.

"I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do about it," he said. "Come Monday, no way I'm going to just hang up on people and say, 'I don't have the minutes.'"

Fitzgerald, who said people consider him "easy to talk to," was inspired by Juan Mann. YouTube video clips of Mann offering "Free Hugs" to strangers became wildly popular on the user-controlled Internet site.

"Some people's own mothers won't take the time to sit down and talk with them and have a conversation," Fitzgerald said. "But some stranger on YouTube will. After six seconds, you're not a stranger anymore, you're a new kid I just met."

[duddyk]

Wow! What a story!

Did anyone verify the 5000 calls? When did he tell this to the Boston Globe? Someone checked his call-log or something? That's one call every 35 seconds, assuming he didn't sleep and that he got them over a 48hour period. Please don't try to weasel out with "the 20-year-old told" - his telling is not news. Many 20 year olds exaggerate or even lie.

Also, how did anyone hear about this gem of a story? Surely Ryan didn't call this in himself with nobody thoroughly checking his assertations... because that would be puta-journalism, like printing press-releases without checking the facts.

This is simply a media circus event.

Thank you for the high standards of journalism, CBS and the Globe. Is it any secret why the media aren't taken seriously?

[odwallajo]

ryan is my neighbor and i grew up with him. he is the most unsympathetic person in the world. he's just bored out of his ***. but bless you people for buying all this.

[xavia1-2009]

Wow, Bruce, you're message was really special. That made me really smile to hear you say you'd help him financially.

[michellem99-2009]

The reason the cell phone bill is high is users are charged for all in and out going to the call number. All cell companies do this. Therefore my friend is careful not go over the minutes on his plan. I feel this kind man wanted to help and made a difference in the lives of others. The cell companies don't-money that will be paid or his credit will go bad. This is sad. Ryan is a dear. I would like to know this as others would,When others need a kind,loving word or what to make the world better the high and mighty dolar-greed gets in the way to stop/stamp it out. Aint right. Ryan hope someone helps you in your mission.

[dbstevens]

Bless this kid...I hope this turns out well for him. It's a hard lesson to learn that expressing your love for people sometimes needs to have boundaries set, just for practical reasons. But there need to be more people showing love and concern for others.

I'm going to call and hope he listens to the message and offer to help him financially.

[soldat44]

The world needs more of this. God Bless you Ryan.

[drinuk]

Come on T Mobile...Cough Up! Pay This Guys Bill you skinflints. Every customer of T Mobile should call them and block their lines, tell them to pay the guy, it's very cheap advertising.

[ladyephesus1]

Thats awesome Ryan! God bless you!

[acauble1]

After reading this story, the tune from Stevie Wonder comes to mind...

..."I just called, to say...." (you know the rest).

:-)

[johnnaw1]

How sweet to know that someone out there is willing to just listen to someone. There are so many not only loney but relocatees, and who knows what else who just want a friendly ear. I think he's onto something. Not everyone needs a paid therapist some times it just takes an ear. Ryan, maybe you could set up a website. "JUST TO SAY HELLO," and people could send their numbers privately to you and you could call them just to say hello. You could have advertisers. You don't have to give advice. Not everyone wants someone else's opinion. Sometimes you just want to let some know that you exist. :-)