Empowering Community Spirit: Students Rally to Gift Custodian His Dream Jeep Worth $20,000

The Heartwarming Story of a School Custodian’s Lifelong Dream

Are you ready for a feel-good story to kick off your weekend? Look no further! It’s the tale of a group of Virginia high school students who surprised their beloved school custodian, Francis Apraku, with the ultimate gift: his dream car, a Jeep Wrangler.

A Lifetime of Kindness

Francis Apraku has been working at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia for a year, but in that short time, he’s made a lasting impact on the students. "He’s more than just a custodian. He’s a dear friend to all of us. He’s just a very kind, genuine person," says one student.

The Power of Fundraising

Sophomores Logan and Bennett, part of the fundraising team, launched a GoFundMe campaign six months ago, reaching out to anyone who could contribute. Within two days, they had raised $5,000, which quickly snowballed to $20,000 by the time they surprised Apraku with the Jeep Wrangler.

A Birthday Dream Come True

Apraku had always wanted a Jeep Wrangler, and as his birthday approached, the students decided to make his dream a reality. As Logan told WUSA9, "We met Francis around a year ago today, and he told us his birthday’s coming up. He told us he really wanted a Jeep, and that was his dream car, and that was his end goal in life—to get a Jeep Wrangler. We thought, ‘We’re gonna try to get him a Jeep.’"

A Heartwarming Surprise

Earlier this week, the students surprised Apraku with the Jeep Wrangler in the school’s parking lot. Overcome with emotion, Apraku rolled around on the pavement, expressing his gratitude to the students. "Today’s a wonderful day in my life, and I will never forget it," he said. "What I’m always saying is, whoever you meet in this world, you need to respect. No matter what that person is. Whether old, whether young, whoever; we have to give them due respect."

A Lesson in Kindness

This story is a powerful reminder of the impact we can have on others’ lives through kindness and generosity. It’s a testament to the power of community and the importance of respecting and valuing those around us, regardless of their role.

Get Involved!

Want to learn more about this heartwarming story or share your own tips and questions with the author? Reach out at james@thedrive.com.