A group of freshmen at James Madison High School in Virginia surprised their beloved custodian, Francis Apraku, with his dream car – a Jeep Wrangler.
Francis Apraku came to the United States from Ghana ten years ago. He became the custodian at James Madison High School. Students and staff quickly grew to love him for his kindness and friendly nature. Francis did more than just clean the school. He often prayed for students and encouraged them when they needed it.
In September 2023, some freshmen were talking with Francis about his upcoming birthday. They asked what he wanted. Francis told them his dream was to own a Jeep Wrangler someday. He thought it was impossible, but the students had other ideas.
The students decided to make Francis’s dream come true. They set a big goal: to raise enough money to buy him a Jeep. “We’re going to try and get him a Jeep,” they said. It would take months of hard work, but they were determined.
First, the students started a GoFundMe campaign. They shared it with friends, family, and local groups. People responded quickly and generously. One student said, “One thing got to another and in the next two days, we had $5,000.”
As more people heard about their plan, the whole community joined in. Parents, relatives, and local businesses all helped. The students kept working hard, and people kept giving. After months of fundraising, they reached $20,000.
With the money raised, the students worked with a local car dealership. They found a candy red 2005 Jeep Wrangler – perfect for Francis.
On a Tuesday in fall 2023, the students gathered at the Vienna Inn parking lot. They were ready to surprise Francis. When he arrived, he had no idea what was waiting for him. The students showed him the shiny red Jeep, and Francis was overcome with emotion. “Oh my God, oh my God,” he said, falling to his knees in shock.
“I don’t believe this is happening in my life,” Francis said, his voice full of thanks. “I give thanks to almighty God for making today for me.” His reaction showed how much this act of kindness meant to him.
The students were thrilled to see Francis so happy. One student said, “I’m excited to see him driving it at school every day… he really deserves it.” Another student, Bennett Hibshman, explained why they did it: “He’s more than a custodian, he’s a friend to us. His kindness is contagious, and we just said, ‘Let’s get him a Jeep Wrangler’.”
Francis had touched the students’ lives in many ways. “Ever since we met Francis, he has been super kind and friendly, and sometimes even says prayers for us,” one student shared. Francis was more than just the school custodian – he was a friend and a role model.
The surprise meant the world to Francis. “Today is a wonderful day in my life and I will never forget it,” he said, his words full of joy and gratitude. For Francis, this gift was about more than just getting a car. It showed him how much the students cared about him and valued his friendship.
May this story encourage us to notice the unsung heroes around us and thank them in meaningful ways.
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