This kid gives me hope.
Sometimes in Trump America, you just feel hopeless, but there are still plenty of good people around.
When Jakeem Tyler went to work at a fast food restaurant in a neck brace and arm sling after a car crash, he certainly didn’t expect to become a viral sensation.
The teenager, who had worked at Chick-fil-A for 18 months, had been cleared by his doctor to continue working, so that’s what he did. Like millions of others, he needed the money. And he needed it for a good reason: Christmas was coming and he and his family were planning to help feed the homeless.
Without Jakeem’s salary, someone might go without – and that certainly wasn’t part of the plan.
So with his left arm strapped to his chest and his movements restricted by a neck brace, he was counting out change at the counter at the fast food restaurant in Avon, Indiana in early December when a customer listened to his inspirational story, took his photograph, posted it on Facebook and set up a fundraising page.
A target of $2,500 was set. Within 3 days, it had raised more than $5,000. Within five days, it was $12,000. Now, a month later, the total stands at a staggering $44,277.
So now that Jakeem knows he is more than $44,000 richer thanks to Nelson being so moved by his altruism? It’s certainly inspired him to think big, but not in the way one might expect.
He said: ‘I was amazed and I was so grateful. I didn’t look to get any attention or receive any donations from anyone. I’m just glad that so many people get to see my testimony and see that not all teens are bad and that there are good people in this world.’
The money raised has been ring-fenced and is in his parents’ control. It will be spent entirely on good causes – and Jakeem, who plans to go to college In Tennessee, now hopes he’ll be able to set up a charitable foundation with which to continue his good work.
He said: ‘I want to build a foundation for the homeless in Indiana and then nationwide and even worldwide.’
Salute to this young man and the people who set up the GoFundMe.