- Contributors have given greater than $200,000 to a highschool graduate who jumped in to assist coworkers at Burger King whereas nonetheless carrying his commencement attire. His story went viral through a TikTok video. Burger King has individually given him a $10,000 scholarship.
On Could 21, Mykale Baker graduated from Mill Creek Excessive College in a suburb of Atlanta. He might need identified it was a day that will change his life when he awoke, however he completely didn’t know the extent of that change.
After the ceremony, Baker and his mother and father went to the native Burger King to seize dinner. Baker had labored there since February to save cash for school and the household may eat at a reduction. Once they walked in, although, the place was booming—and there have been solely three staff attempting to juggle cooking the meals and dealing with buyer orders. Baker volunteered to assist and acquired straight to work, whereas nonetheless carrying his commencement medals and sash.
@mariabonita528 This younger man deserves a scholarship!!!! @Carlos_Eduardo_Espina @Burger King #daculaga #burgerking #youngkid #graduated #hardworking #pesopluma #nuevavida ♬ NUEVA VIDA – Peso Pluma
A bit later, Maria Mendoza pulled as much as the drive-thru and noticed Baker. She shot a video of him laborious at work and posted it on TikTok, the place it went viral. Individuals requested how they may assist Baker along with his school bills, so Mendoza launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign.
As of Friday morning, that marketing campaign has gathered over $201,000 in pledges.
“Whereas many graduates spent the evening celebrating with family and friends, one younger man quietly confirmed the world what willpower seems to be like,” Mendoza wrote.
Mendoza and Baker didn’t know one another. She occurred to be on the restaurant to select up meals for a celebration celebrating her personal daughter’s commencement from Mill Creek.
Baker wasn’t conscious of the video or the fundraiser till three days later, when Mendoza spoke with the supervisor at Burger King, asking to fulfill Baker. The fundraiser, on the time, had collected $6,000.
“I didn’t understand she was recording me,” Baker advised The Washington Put up. “I felt very completely satisfied. I used to be stunned; I had by no means seen that a lot cash in my life. … I’m very grateful to everybody who has donated and supported me by way of this journey.”
Past the cash raised through the GoFundMe, Burger King has offered Baker with a $10,000 scholarship—in addition to a $10,000 scholarship for Mendoza’s daughter.
Baker had deliberate to take a spot yr to avoid wasting up for school. Now, he says, he has utilized to a technical school and plans to review automotive know-how this fall, with plans to turn out to be a mechanic.
Till then, although, he plans to maintain working at Burger King.
“I simply love working,” he mentioned. “The individuals I work round make the job extra enjoyable.”
This story was initially featured on Fortune.com
