Every single day, Trenton Lewis, 21, walked 5½ miles to and from work.
The single father needed a job to support his young, 18-month-old daughter. He was ecstatic when he managed to land a position working at a UPS facility in Little Rock, but he knew from the get-go that it would be a long, daily trip.
“I was banking on my feet,” he told CNN.
“My pride is strong. Whatever she [my daughter] needs, I’m the person who is supposed to provide it for her.”
Trenton’s legs ached by the time he arrived for his 4 AM shift, but he never let anyone know about his exhausting commute.
Eventually, however, staff member “Mama Pat” Bryant put the pieces together. In fact, she was upset by Trenton’s circumstances. “She was like a second mom,” he recalled.
Pat and her husband Kenneth had each been working at UPS for the last 40 years. When she told him about Trenton’s situation, they knew they had to help.
The couple worked together, raising funds to purchase a new car for Trenton.
At first, fundraising seemed like a daunting task, but they soon learned his story spoke for itself. Even employees who had never met Trenton donated towards the cause, inspired by his gumption. In the end, the group managed to raise nearly $2,000.
Kenneth and Pat then located a seller who, upon hearing their story, offered them a deal. The two walked away with a 2006 Saturn Ion that they knew Trenton would love. Kenneth said:
“I told the seller what I was doing and who it was for, and he said he was willing to work with me on a price.”
Even though the car was second-hand, Kenneth repaired every nook and cranny, making it shine like new.
Finally, it was time for the big reveal.
The UPS staff lured Trenton to the facility’s parking lot by telling him an impromptu union meeting was being held. When he showed up at the given time, he was shocked when Kenneth handed him a ring of keys.
“We have a dedicated young man who really wanted to come to work— and he proved it because he walked to work,” said Kenneth.
When Kenneth is handed the keys, his stoic face turns to an expression of disbelief and gratitude.
“God always has something for you,” he said.
“I’m never going to forget this ever.”
As you can imagine, Kenneth is overjoyed about his gift.
For his first drive in the new ride, he took his daughter out for food.
When employee Fred Stephens uploaded the footage to Facebook, the story immediately went viral.
Comments on the video read:
“God saw the need and warmed peoples’ hearts, including mine.”
“That’s what’s what we’re suppose to be doing helping each other in time of needs. That’s beautiful.”
“That was such a blessing for that young man. You all are amazing.”
Hear the story below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
