A custodian at James Madison High School has students and the community to thank for his birthday present: a bright red Jeep Wrangler, complete with a big red bow on its hood.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe this,” Francis Apraku said as the Vienna students presented their favorite custodian with the vehicle Monday. Apraku then went to the ground, rolled around in disbelief, and cried.
“This day, September 9, I will never, ever forget,” he said.
Here’s how the gift came to be. Last September, a group of freshmen were chatting with Apraku. The conversation turned to what he wanted for his birthday, and the custodian told them he wanted his dream car, a Jeep Wrangler.
After telling them his wish, Apraku said of the kids, “They laugh at me for the whole day.”
What he didn’t know is that the students would make it happen. They started a GoFundMe effort, writing: “Ever since we met Francis he has been super kind and friendly and sometimes even says prayers for us.”
Their friends and parents contributed. The students said from there the momentum grew.
The power of social media kicked in, with members of the Facebook group Vienna VA Foodies contributing more than half of the $20,387 raised.
“Thank you, Vienna Foodies for helping us raise $10,000+ for this cause,” Lydia Russo, co-founder and moderator of the group, wrote in a Vienna Foodies post.
With a little more help from an industry insider, the students got a deal.
“Thank you, Madison dad Andy Britt of Ted Britt Ford – Fairfax who searched everywhere to get the best deal possible for this car,” Russo wrote. “He secured the best car in record timing!”
Britt, who was there when Apraku received the Jeep told Fox5, “It’s awesome to see how excited he is.”
Apraku told WUSA that the students always “make my day” and he is extremely thankful to those involved, “especially the parents involved — god bless them.”
Fox5 talked with an emotional Apraku right after he received the vehicle. Video below is 8 minutes long.
Feature image courtesy Lydia Russo
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