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 by way of a TikTok video. Burger King has individually given him a $10,000 scholarship.
On Could 21, Mykale Baker graduated from Mill Creek Excessive Faculty in a suburb of Atlanta. He might need identified it was a day that may change his life when he wakened, 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 economize for school and the household may eat at a reduction. After they walked in, although, the place was booming—and there have been solely three staff making an attempt to juggle cooking the meals and dealing with buyer orders. Baker volunteered to assist and bought 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 onerous at work and posted it on TikTok, the place it went viral. Individuals requested how they may assist Baker together 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 notice she was recording me,” Baker informed The Washington Submit. “I felt very blissful. 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 by way of 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 12 months to avoid wasting up for school. Now, he says, he has utilized to a technical school and plans to check automotive know-how this fall, with plans to turn into 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
