It’s Friday, and are you prepared to dive into the weekend feeling sentimental? You might just find yourself in an emotional state after witnessing a heartwarming event where a group of high school students in Virginia surprised their beloved custodian with a Jeep Wrangler—a car he has always dreamed of owning. As one might expect in such a touching moment, the custodian loses all composure upon receiving this incredible gift.
This inspiring episode took place at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, as reported by KPTV Fox 12. The custodian, Francis Apraku, is cherished by the students, with one commenting to KPTV, “He’s more than just a custodian. He’s a dear friend to all of us. He’s just a very kind, genuine person.” Despite only knowing Apraku for about a year, the students felt compelled to help him achieve his lifelong dream.
In an interview with WUSA9, sophomores Logan and Bennett, who were part of the fundraising team, shared that they launched a GoFundMe campaign about six months ago, reaching out to anyone willing to help.
“We met Francis about a year ago, and he mentioned that his birthday was approaching. He expressed his desire for a Jeep, stating that it was his dream car and his ultimate goal in life to own a Jeep Wrangler,” Logan explained to WUSA9. “We thought, ‘Let’s try to get him a Jeep.’”
Within two days, they raised $5,000, which quickly grew to $20,000 by the previous week. This prompted them to make their move, and earlier this week, they surprised Apraku with the Jeep in the school’s parking lot. Overwhelmed with joy, Apraku joyfully rolled on the pavement.
“Today’s a wonderful day in my life, and I will never forget it,” Apraku said to WUSA9, emphasizing the significance of the students in his life. “What I always say is that whoever you meet in this world deserves your respect, no matter who they are—whether old or young; everyone deserves due respect.”
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