A big reason why they call Nebraska "the good life" is because of the generous people you'll find around every corner. That generosity was exemplified through the story of a Nebraska community taking care of its own.

In North Platte, he's known simply as the Can Man. For years, Jerome Reinert has been riding his 3-wheeled bike around town collecting cans.

That is until the 41-year-old man was hit by a car while riding his bike on Dec. 16. Jerome escaped with bumps and bruises. but his bike was totaled.

That's when Jerome's friends decided to take action.

Jerome earns a lot of his grocery money by collecting aluminum cans. For years, he pulled a couple of trailers behind his bike.

He was born with cerebral palsy and when his sole means of transportation was crushed in December, Jerome was devastated.

"I thought right away this can't be. We got to got to do something for him. We've got to get money raised to buy a new bike," said Vawn Stark.

Vawn Stark has been cutting Jerome's hair for 25 years, and she set out a donation can in her barber shop.

"The money just kept coming in and coming in and we were like 'Wow, people really do know Jerome, you know, and they all love him,'" she said.

Stark raised more than $800 in just three days, but it was about that time that the ladies from the local thrift store heard about the fund raising.

"I said, 'Boy this is something that I think we want to be in on,'" saidTwila Brynoff, Thrift Center.

The thrift store ended up purchasing $1,000 bike at a reduced rate from the good people at Cycle Sport.

"He's always riding down the road and waves and stops and gives everybody a hug," said Patty Evans, Cycle Sport Bike Shop. "I feel that I'm darn lucky I can give back."

Jerome's 41st birthday was a good one.

"It meant a great deal to me to know that he is that thought of in this town and to know that he as so many friends," said Anita McMurry, Jerome's mother.

With the additional money raised at the barber shop, a new $800 shed was built to house the new bike Jerome was pleased.

"It was nice," said Jerome Reinert.

It's awfully nice to have friends like this as well, and to the caring lady that got this whole thing started, all of this good will can mean only one thing.

"They're hearts are in the right places, they know where it belongs, we're greater Nebraska for one reason. The friendliness of everybody," Stark said.