Dwayne Johnson Stuns Charity, Donates to Expectant Mother in Need
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actor Dwayne Johnson shocked a community when he showed up at The Dream Center in Los Angeles to offer encouragement, love and kindness to men and women in need.
Matthew Barnett, a pastor and the founder of the ministry, was in his office when a staff member told him that Lauren Hashian—Johnson’s wife—was dropping by with a donation. He went to meet her and help bring her donation in when he noticed Johnson in the car.
“I’m just walking down, getting ready to say ‘thank you’ as we take all of her stuff out of the car,” he told CBN’s Faithwire. “The Rock’s in the back talking to someone on the phone.”
Barnett didn’t want to bother the actor, but Johnson jumped out of the car and started meeting the staff, excited to hear more about the ministry.
“He’s like, ‘Hey, how are you guys doing?’” Barnett said. “Engaging people in the most real, normal level. I’m thinking, ‘How much time does he really want to spend here?’”
As Johnson was there, Barnett realized that the actor wanted to connect with those at The Dream Center, which provides transitional housing and resources for the poor and addicted.
One of the individuals the star interacted with was the expectant mother, whom his donations provided with a crib, stuffed animals and other items for her soon-to-come baby.
“[Johnson was] talking to this mother…for 10 minutes, asking what she’s going through,” Barnett explained. “She was in foster care most of her life…it meant so much for her.”
Barnett shared the experience on Instagram, noting how willing Johnson was to engage and care for those less fortunate.
“Not only did he treat her like the most important person in the world, he stayed and listened with a heart of extraordinary compassion to her and anyone,” Barnett shared. “I realized very quickly that this man not only cares about people’s immediate needs, but he cares about their potential.
“I’m still in awe by his extraordinary humility and the spark of hope that he brings to the world,” he added.
Johnson also shared his experience, posting about the people he met at The Dream Center.
“Dream Center is doing amazing work for our brothers and sisters who are struggling and broken—the mana is real when you shake these hands and feel these hugs,” Johnson wrote.
“Great to meet ‘mama to be’ Zaynah and congratulations on the baby!! Enjoy all the stuff,” he continued.
“We’ve all been there a time or two and struggling people don’t need a hand out—they just need a hand up,” he added.
Barnett was amazed by Johnson’s willingness to share his experience so openly.
“Nobody has ever done that as a celebrity on that level,” he said. “It was really an unexpected surprise. I feel like he’ll probably come back another time as well.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Johnson:
Dwayne Johnson recently celebrated a huge purchase: buying a home for his mother.
“Love you mom and surprise!” Johnson captioned a video of his mom seeing her new house.
He continued:
When I was a little boy, I hated when my mom would cry ~ these days, I’ll happily take her tears of joy
I surprised my mom and bought her a new home. Took me and my design team 8 weeks to get it ready, where she could walk thru her front door for the very first time and everything she saw was brand new and a total surprise.
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