GoFundMe | Sara Elizabeth McGovern Malone

School Janitor Drops To Knees After Learning Coworkers Bought Him A Truck

Updated September 4, 2021

As many of us have become used to working from home, it's easy to take for granted how much it matters that your job is fairly close to where you live.

For about as long as I've been alive, that hasn't been true for one of my uncles who has to drive an hour-and-a-half to work every day. As you might imagine, that leaves him even more exhausted than a full day of work already would.

But even that situation seems enviable compared to what one Tennessee custodian had to put up with before his coworkers and the public came through with a beautiful gesture.

60-year-old Robert Reed is a custodian at Farmington Elementary School in Germantown, Tennessee.

GoFundMe | Sara Elizabeth McGovern Malone

As WMC5 reported, his job is hardly what we would consider a convenient distance from his home, as he found himself taking three buses and walking an additional two miles every day.

Despite that challenge, he's known both as a hard worker and a very positive person by his coworkers.

GoFundMe | Sara Elizabeth McGovern Malone

As a Farmington teacher, who goes by Elizabeth Malone, said, "His work ethic is unbelievable and we want our kids to pick up on that, not only to have a good work ethic, but also if you see someone in need, try to help. It’s important to do that."

So when they learned how arduous his journey to and from work is, they stepped up to help.

Twitter | @ShayA_WREG3

As Reed told WMC5, "Let's say I get off at 3 p.m. Then I get home around 7 p.m. All the teachers have taken me to the bus stop. They even gave me money when I didn't have any. I'm telling you, Farmington is a family here."

But even he wouldn't have guessed just how much his colleagues were looking out for him.

GoFundMe | Sara Elizabeth McGovern Malone

On February 18, Malone started a fundraiser for Reed on GoFundMe to get him a truck.

But it picked up speed faster than she or her colleagues could have expected.

Twenty-four hours after it was launched, the campaign raised $7,000 and, at the time of this writing, that number has ballooned to $49,260.

As we can see here, Reed was beside himself with emotion when Malone told him what staff at Farmington had done.

And although it took longer than expected thanks to the pandemic, Reed eventually got his truck.

GoFundMe | Sara Elizabeth McGovern Malone

By May 25, Malone informed the donors that Reed was now the proud owner of a 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 after a long period of getting it insured.

Not only that, but the extra money that came in meant that Reed could also get a trailer and some lawn equipment.

GoFundMe | Sara Elizabeth McGovern Malone

As Malone explained, this allowed him to start a side business as a landscaper and handyman.

Malone also shared his business card via the campaign so anyone who needs his services knows where to look.

As for Reed, he still seems overwhelmed by this gesture from his coworkers and the donors.

GoFundMe | Sara Elizabeth McGovern Malone

As Reed said through tears to WMC5, "I love these people up here. I love them! And I couldn’t have made it without them. It’s a joy to work here. Pure joy."

h/t: WMC5

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