LARGO, Fla. — When the man who has been entertaining them for more than a decade by dancing on street corners wearing skates needed a new pair, Pinellas residents stepped up to get him dancing again.

  • Bien Yambao's skates broke down a few weeks ago
  • Yambao could not afford new skates, girlfriend started GoFundMe campaign
  • Neighbor chipped in remaining amount to get Yambao out dancing again
  • More Good News stories 

Largo's Bien Yambao's dancing days were put on hold a few weeks ago when his skates broke down.

That pause should end soon, thanks to neighbors who raised $250 on Wednesday to buy him new skates.

“It’s nice to do good things for people that deserve it,” said neighbor Matt Ogden. “I know it’s going to make him feel good.”

Ogden said he noticed Yambao had seemed depressed lately. He learned the man in his late 50’s couldn’t afford a new pair of skates.

“You could just tell he’s not been his normal self,” said Ogden. “He was bummed.”

The neighbor said his girlfriend, Amanda Woodward, created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the skates. It got some donations before Ogden decided to throw in the rest. 

“A few people had donated and I think we had gotten to $40 within an hour,” he said. “So I went on ahead and put the other $210 in.”

Yambao wasn’t around when we visited his home, but his sister, Digna Nakpil, said her brother’s going to be ecstatic when he finds out about the donation.

“Yeah, of course,” she said. “Everybody is going to be excited.”

Ogden said it’s a gift that’s going to entertain the entire community.

“He makes people happy and it makes him happy,” said Ogden. “I look forward to giving them to him, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a big deal. He’s going to be real excited.”