In an age where a single text message can change a life, a heartwarming story unfolded in the small town of Ada, Oklahoma, on May 25, 2025, that reminded the world of the power of kindness and compassion. A young mother, 19-year-old Lily Carter, struggling to provide for her newborn daughter, accidentally sent a desperate text to country music superstar Blake Shelton, asking for help to buy baby formula. What happened next not only alleviated Lily’s immediate hardship but also showcased Shelton’s generosity, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who heard the story.

Lily Carter had been facing unimaginable challenges. At just 19, she was a single mother to her three-month-old daughter, Ava, after her partner left shortly after Ava’s birth. Living in a tiny apartment in Ada, Oklahoma—ironically, the same town where Blake Shelton was born—Lily worked part-time at a local diner, barely making enough to cover rent and diapers. The nationwide baby formula shortage, which had persisted in waves since 2022, hit families like hers the hardest. With shelves often empty and prices soaring, Lily found herself unable to afford the formula Ava needed, especially since breastfeeding wasn’t an option due to medical complications after a difficult birth.

On the evening of May 24, 2025, Lily sat in her dimly lit apartment, Ava crying in her crib, her own stomach growling from hunger. She hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days, prioritizing what little money she had for Ava’s needs. Desperate, she decided to text a local charity organization she’d heard about, hoping they could help with formula. Her fingers trembled as she typed: “Hi, I’m a single mom and I’m really struggling. I can’t afford baby formula for my daughter, and she’s hungry. Can you please help me? I only need $30 to get through the week.” In her exhaustion, Lily mistyped the number, sending the message not to the charity but to a contact she didn’t even realize she had—Blake Shelton.

How did Lily end up with Shelton’s number? It was a fluke. A few months earlier, her cousin, who worked as a stagehand at one of Shelton’s Ole Red concerts in Nashville, had shared a group contact list with Lily for a potential job opportunity that never panned out. Shelton’s number had been in that list, saved under “BS – Ole Red,” which Lily assumed was a business contact. She never imagined her desperate plea would land in the inbox of a country music legend.

Blake Shelton, now 48, was winding down at his ranch in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, just a short drive from Ada, when his phone buzzed with the unexpected message. He was sipping a beer on his porch, his wife Gwen Stefani inside putting her sons to bed after a long day. Shelton glanced at the text, initially thinking it might be a scam—after all, the Federal Trade Commission had warned about baby formula scams exploiting shortages as far back as 2022. But something about the message felt genuine. The simplicity of the request, the mention of a hungry child, and the fact that it came from an Oklahoma area code made him pause.

Shelton called out to Gwen, “Hey, babe, come look at this.” He showed her the message, and Gwen, a mother of three, immediately felt a pang of sympathy. “That sounds real, Blake,” she said. “You should call her.” Shelton nodded, his mind drifting to his own childhood in Ada, where money had been tight for his family too. He thought of his late brother Richie, who had passed away when Shelton was 14, and how his family had struggled through grief and financial hardship. He also remembered his cousin’s daughter, Aspen, who had been treated for cancer at the Jimmy Everest Center—a cause he’d donated $600,000 to in 2016 after a concert in Oklahoma City. Helping kids and families in need had always been close to his heart.

Shelton dialed the number, and Lily picked up on the second ring, her voice shaky. “Hello?” she said, expecting a scam call or a bill collector. “Hey, this is Blake Shelton,” he replied casually. “I got your text about needing help with baby formula. Is this for real?” Lily froze, thinking it was a prank. “Blake… Shelton? Like, the singer?” she stammered. Shelton chuckled, “Yeah, that’s me. I’m in Tishomingo, not far from Ada. Tell me what’s going on.”

Lily broke down in tears, explaining her situation—her partner leaving, her low-paying job, the formula shortage, and Ava’s cries of hunger. Shelton listened quietly, his heart breaking for the young mother. He knew Ada well; it was where he’d grown up, where he’d seen families like Lily’s struggle to make ends meet. “I’m so sorry, I thought I was texting a charity,” Lily sobbed. “I didn’t mean to bother you.” Shelton reassured her, “You’re not bothering me, Lily. I’m glad you reached out, even if it was by mistake.”

Shelton told Lily to hang tight and asked for her address. He hung up and turned to Gwen, who was already grabbing her jacket. “Let’s go,” she said, her eyes misty. “That baby needs to eat.” Shelton called a local store he knew in Ada, one he’d frequented as a kid, and arranged for them to deliver $200 worth of baby formula, diapers, and groceries to Lily’s apartment that night. But he didn’t stop there. He and Gwen drove to Ada themselves, arriving at Lily’s doorstep just after 9 p.m. with the delivery in tow.

When Lily opened the door, she couldn’t believe her eyes. There stood Blake Shelton, his signature grin lighting up the dim hallway, and Gwen Stefani, holding a bag of baby supplies. “We brought some stuff for Ava,” Shelton said, handing her the formula. Lily burst into tears again, hugging them both. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered. “Thank you so much.”

Shelton and Gwen spent an hour with Lily, playing with Ava, who had stopped crying after her bottle, and listening to Lily’s story. Shelton shared a bit about his own upbringing in Ada, telling Lily, “I know what it’s like to feel like you’re at the end of your rope. But you’re doing great, and Ava’s lucky to have you.” Before they left, Shelton handed Lily an envelope with $1,000 in cash, saying, “This should help you get by for a bit. And if you need anything else, you’ve got my number now—for real this time.” Gwen added, “You’re a strong mom, Lily. Don’t ever feel ashamed to ask for help.”

The next day, Shelton posted about the encounter on his Facebook page, where he has over 9 million followers. He wrote, “Got a text by mistake from a young mom in Ada who needed help for her baby. Couldn’t ignore it—reminded me of the struggles I saw growing up. Gwen and I made a quick trip to make sure that baby got fed. Let’s all look out for each other, especially in tough times.” The post went viral, with fans praising Shelton’s kindness and sharing their own stories of hardship and hope.

Shelton’s act of generosity didn’t end with that night. Inspired by Lily’s situation, he reached out to the Jimmy Everest Center, where he’d previously donated, and set up a small fund to help struggling families in Oklahoma access baby formula and essentials. He also donated $50,000 to a local Ada food bank, ensuring that other mothers like Lily wouldn’t go hungry. “I can’t fix everything,” Shelton told a local news outlet, “but if I can help a few families in my hometown, that’s enough for me.”

For Lily, the encounter was life-changing. The money and supplies gave her a buffer to get back on her feet, and she started a part-time job at a daycare, where she could bring Ava along. She framed a photo she took with Shelton and Gwen, hanging it in her apartment as a reminder that even in her darkest moment, kindness found her. “I’ll never forget what they did for us,” Lily said. “Blake Shelton isn’t just a star—he’s a real person who cares.”

This story of a mistaken text turning into a moment of profound generosity highlights the impact one act of kindness can have. In a world often filled with hardship, Blake Shelton’s response to Lily’s plea showed that compassion can bridge even the widest gaps, reminding us all to look out for those in need—whether they text us by mistake or not.