A chance encounter at a Chick-fil-A restaurant turned into a holiday story that will make you weep

Here's a holiday pick-me-up that took place at a fried chicken sandwich restaurant.

A chance encounter at a Chick-fil-A in Indiana has ended with more the $40,000 raised for charity.

Local man Cameron Nelson recently stopped at the chicken sandwich fast-food eatery and noticed a man behind the cash register was in a neck brace and sling, according to a post on his Facebook page on Dec. 8.

Nelson said he asked the man what happened and the cashier said he'd been in a car accident, but had to keep working to support himself and help feed the homeless on Christmas.

"Maybe I was supposed to go in there," Nelson wrote, adding that he was thinking of passing along a couple hundred dollars from his next paycheck. "I was amazed he's still workin despite his condition."

After posting the photo and message, Nelson went on to set up a GoFundMe online fundraiser to help the cashier out. The $2,500 goal was quickly surpassed with more than 1,600 people contributing more than $42,000.

The cashier has since been identified as Jakeem Tyler, an 18-year-old high school student in a suburb of Indianapolis and part-time Chick-fil-A employee, according to a Fox News report. He was told to go home and recover, but he insisted on pulling through his shift and that's when Nelson saw him working despite his injuries.

In a video interview on Fox News, Tyler, still in a sling, said the huge amount of support was "truly mind-blowing" and that he felt "very blessed and grateful." He credited his parents for teaching him to have a strong work ethic.

Fox News says Nelson got Tyler's contact information, so hopefully he'll be able to deliver the funds to him in time for the holidays. Tyler said he plans on giving all the money to the homeless.

This is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.