High school janitor Francis Apraku was left speechless after students at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, gifted him his dream car, a $20,000 Jeep Wrangler. The touching gesture came on Monday, September 9, as part of a surprise birthday celebration organized by the students.
Apraku, who has worked at the school for years, is beloved by the students for his kind-hearted nature and uplifting spirit. The group of students, who had fundraised for months, exceeded their expectations by raising over $20,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. Their efforts were also supported by a local car dealership, which helped them select the perfect Jeep Wrangler for Apraku.
When the moment arrived, Apraku was led out to the school parking lot, where the Jeep was parked. Upon realizing the vehicle was for him, he collapsed in shock, overwhelmed with emotion. Smiling from ear to ear, he expressed his gratitude, thanking God and the students for making his dream come true. In a tearful statement to Fox5, he said, “I will give thanks to Almighty God for making today for me. I hope today is a great day for me.”
The emotional moment captured on video shows Apraku raising his arms to the sky in prayer, holding the keys to his new Jeep, and sharing a heartfelt embrace with the students who made it possible. The janitor had previously mentioned to them that his favorite car was a Jeep Wrangler, unaware that his words had sparked a mission to bring that dream to life.
One of the students, Bennett, shared how the group initially raised $5,000 on the first day of fundraising. After six months of efforts, they surpassed their goal, collecting more than $20,000. “Ever since we met Francis, he has been super kind and friendly, and sometimes even says prayers for us,” the students wrote on their donation page.
Kids at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia raised money on GoFundMe for their school custodian, Francis Apraku, and got him a new Jeep 🥹🙏 https://t.co/fmtAgIRFRx pic.twitter.com/wxvWWs37cW
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) September 14, 2024
For Apraku, the surprise was nothing short of life-changing. “I feel happy, happy, happy, and I don’t know how to describe it,” he said. The unforgettable moment stands as a testament to the power of kindness and community, leaving a lasting impact on both the students and the janitor they admire.
