Strangers Raise $5,500 for a Man Who Walked Three Miles to Work Each Day

Lifestyle

| June 29, 2017 | By Margo Gothelf

A simple act of kindness goes a long way. Just ask Justin Korva and Andy Mitchell.

Korva first met Mitchell while he was walking to work. Mitchell offered to give Korva a ride, not knowing that walking was his only means of transportation at the moment. Every single day, the 20-year-old would would trek to his job at Taco Casa in the hot temperatures wearing his stiff uniform.

During their drive, Korva explained that he was saving up to buy a car. Until then, he was walking to work to help save up.

Mitchell was so inspired by Korva’s drive and determination that felt the need to share his story on Facebook.

“I usually don’t post stuff on [Facebook] like that. For whatever reason I just felt compelled to do it. The situation of this young man inspired me,” Mitchell told ABC News. “To have the ability to get to and from work is a huge thing.”

Mitchell’s post about Korva quickly gained traction and soon many people were talking about how they could help out the young man. With the help of some friends, Mitchell set up a donation box in a local diner. After about 30 hours, Mitchell managed to raise about $5,500.

“We had a lot of people in the community of Rockwall that donated,” Mitchell said to ABC News. “Too many names to count really.”

Word of the story even got around to an employee at a Toyota dealership, who was able to help out with the purchase.

“I presented it to my general manager and said, ‘Hey, let’s help the kid. It seems like a great story,'” Danny Rawls, general sales manager at Toyota, told CBS News.

With all of the money raised, Mitchell was able to buy a white 2004 Camry for Korva. They even had enough money to pay for a year’s worth of insurance, two year’s worth of oil changes, and $500 in gas.

Once everything was set, Mitchell drove to Taco Casa and gave Korva the surprise of a lifetime.

“Justin, you can’t imagine all the people who wanted to help you,” Mitchell said in a video on Facebook. “So, instead of walking to work, buddy, you’re driving this car from now on.”

Korva could not believe what Mitchell had done for him and was completely stunned.

“He’s a very humble young man and accepted it with stride,” Rawls said to CBS News. “There couldn’t have been more of a deserving individual, for sure.”