I can tell you from experience, the one described in the original post, that you and your online friends did an amazing thing. Why? Because my buddy check friend, Emmanuel, is an online only friend. We have never met. He is across the globe from me right now. He may have only been words on a screen but those word were amazing, powerful, and meant the world to me when I need it the most.
That is what you and your online friends did for y'all's other online friend. You were there for them when they needed y'all the most. You don't have to be there in person, looking the person in the eyes, to make a difference. Being there, listening, talking with them, dude - that shit can change a life in an instant. It shows who needs to hear it that people do care. People in probably the darkest point of their lives see others do care. That means the world, life, at the time it is needed the most.
Thank you for being there for your friend. I just wish more people had friends like yours did and I have. Maybe the world would be a little better.