Woman Gifts a Car to High School Senior Who Walked 7 Miles Each Day to 40-Hour-Per-Week Job

(Courtesy of Lavonda Wright)

A deserving high school senior has been gifted his very own set of wheels after a woman found out he was walking 7 miles after classes, every day, to attend his 40-hour-a-week employment at a restaurant.

“I knew if I had to walk to work every day to get a car, that’s what I was going to do,” Cobb County, Georgia, twelfth-grader Jayden Sutton told Fox 5 Atlanta.

Lavonda Wright and Jayden Sutton at the Nalley Honda, Union City, dealership on Jan. 14, 2021. (Courtesy of Lavonda Wright)

“When I get out of school around 3:30 I will go straight to work,” he explained. “I walk to work and I work six to eight hours, and get off and walk straight home.”

Sutton makes the 7-mile journey each day to his job as a server and then makes another 5-mile journey back to his house after he gets off work at 10:30 p.m. if co-workers don’t offer him a ride. Despite rain or shine, the youngster has made the effort to walk, hoping to save money for a car. However, thanks to Lavonda Wright, the mother of the teen’s friend, his walking days are over.

(Courtesy of Lavonda Wright)

Wright first encountered a hard-working Sutton on his long commute to work while driving on Dec. 10, 2020. “We noticed a young man walking at the speed of lightning with headphones on,” Wright explained on GoFundMe. “My son asked me to slow down so he could check on his friend.”

The mom offered to drive Sutton as far as she was going until she heard his story. “Immediately my heart got full,” she explained. “I was literally holding back tears... I said, ‘Baby I’ll be taking you all the way to work, forget my plans for now.’”

Inspired by the young boy, Wright told Sutton that she would be paying for his Uber rides for the next week so that his body could rest.

Wright was also compelled to do more and spent the following days concocting a plan of action.

(Courtesy of Lavonda Wright)

Wright set up a GoFundMe page on Dec. 12, 2020, with the goal to raise $4,000 in 30 days. However, with the help of donors’ generous contributions, Wright raised almost $7,000, enough to buy the struggling teen a car of his own.

Further blessings came when Nalley Honda’s Union City dealership manager learned of Wright’s mission to help a deserving teen. The manager lowered the price of a car to suit her budget, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

Jayden Sutton sitting behind the wheel of his brand-new car. (Courtesy of Lavonda Wright)

Wright also has plans for the almost $2,500 that has amassed since the car was purchased. “We’re still trying to pay Jayden’s car insurance up for the year, assist with gas, assist his mother,” Wright told The Epoch Times via Facebook.

Sutton’s mother lost her job, and her car was totaled.

Presenting Sutton with the keys to his very own vehicle at the dealership on Jan. 14, Wright exclaimed, “Let me say, this is your car!”

Lavonda Wright and Jayden Sutton at the surprise. (Courtesy of Lavonda Wright)

Sutton, overwhelmed, embraced Wright and said, “I just want to say thank you. A million times. You don’t understand how much.”

“If you’re doing something good or trying to reach a goal, keep doing it,” the grateful senior advised others. “You might get some help. That’s what happened to me.”

Lavonda Wright with Jayden Sutton's mother. (Courtesy of Lavonda Wright)

Wright shared the joyful moment with friends, followers, and donors in a Facebook post. “Look at Jayden’s amazing smile receiving his new car & keys,” she posted.

“His beautiful mom was present and we’ve connected on new levels like we’ve known each other for years,” Wright added. “Making a difference in this world is truly needed right now! I’m overwhelmed in God’s love.”

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