Co-Workers Had Generous Surprise for Man Who Walked 18 Miles Round-Trip to Work Each Day

An Ohio man will no longer need to walk 18 hours a day to work thanks to a generous gesture from his coworkers.

Kevan Finley, 30, had previously been a cook at a Ruby Tuesday restaurant in his hometown of Elucid, Ohio. When that restaurant closed in June, Finley initially tried finding another local job. However pickin’s were slim and he decided to continue working for the chain by transferring to their Mentor, Ohio location, nine miles away.

Since then, Finley had been walking the 18-mile round-trip six days a week. He told Today, “I didn’t mind the walk and didn’t feel the need to tell anyone at work about it.”

Despite Finley’s efforts, his manager found out last month. His coworkers quickly decided to help him, first by arranging rides to and from work each day. During one ride, waitress Shayla Kathleen found out that the cook was saving up for a car and studying to pass his driving test.

She told the rest of the staff and together they decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign for Finley, which has raised over $9,800 (as of press time).

According to Kathleen, everyone was happy to pitch in and help due to Finley’s demeanor and attitude. “He is always in a good mood and never complains. He deserves what the community has done for him.”

Finley has already passed the exam, and just needs to complete his road test. Once he does, there will be a car for him at Lakeland Auto Credit, paid for partially by the GoFundMe as well as a $1,000 from the dealership’s owner Neil Perry.

According to Kathleen, Finley was taken aback by everything.

“Up until recently, Kevan had no idea about any of this and when I told him about the GoFundMe, his only response was, ‘I was simply just going to work,'” she explained.

For his part, Finley said about the car and the overall generosity, “I would really love a truck since I’m 6 feet, 4 inches, but will be grateful for any car.”