High School Custodian’s Car Died, so Colleagues Surprise Him With New SUV in Tearful Reveal

High School Custodian’s Car Died, so Colleagues Surprise Him With New SUV in Tearful Reveal
Courtesy of Deborah Pippin
Updated:

An Alabama high school custodian was reduced to tears, because of an act of kindness from his colleagues. When his car broke down and he was unable to replace it, school faculty members gifted him a new set of wheels in a touching surprise reveal.

Citronelle High School custodian Samuel James was forced to start walking to work, and told principal Randy Campbell that he would have to save up to replace his vehicle’s blown engine. Word quickly spread.

English teacher Deborah Pippin and her husband Jeff, the school’s academy specialist, just happened to have an SUV they wanted to give away. As a cherished colleague who'd worked at Citronelle for over a decade, James was an ideal recipient.

James's new set of wheels. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/deborah.pippin">Deborah Pippin</a>)
James's new set of wheels. Courtesy of Deborah Pippin
“They bought a couple new vehicles,” Campbell explained to Fox 10, “and they had this Highlander that they indicated they wanted to give to somebody and asked if I knew anybody. Sam was the first one in mind.”
Meanwhile, Jeff said that “God has been good to us,” NBC reported, so they wanted to pay forward some of their good fortune. Whenever something works out so smoothly, Deborah added, “you know God has a hand in it.”
On March 15, the high school shared footage of the touching moment when the car was handed over to the unsuspecting custodian, who was reduced to tears on learning the Highlander was his.
Citronelle High School custodian Samuel James in tears upon receiving the Toyota Highlander from his colleagues. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/deborah.pippin">Deborah Pippin</a>)
Citronelle High School custodian Samuel James in tears upon receiving the Toyota Highlander from his colleagues. Courtesy of Deborah Pippin

“Our custodian Samuel James has been without a vehicle for some time, and has also been down with an injury recently,” school staff posted. “We at Citronelle High wanted to help him out and get him back on his feet.”

They thanked James for his many years of service and for keeping the school’s athletic facilities and grounds in “great shape.”

Getting ready for his first drive in his new SUV, James said he felt blessed for the gift and to have the Pippins as “real good friends.”

“I’ve been knowing this family for the good eight, nine years that I’ve been here and they’ve always been good to me,” he shared. “I’m just thankful that the Lord sent them my way to let me get this right here.”

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