Vienna, Virginia – A Community United by Gratitude
As the school year commenced at James Madison High School in 2023, a seemingly casual conversation between a group of freshmen and their high school custodian, Francis Apraku, sparked an extraordinary act of kindness. When asked about his upcoming birthday wish, Apraku candidly replied, “Jeep Wrangler.”
A dream shared
Apraku, who has long harbored a passion for Jeeps, expressed that owning a Jeep Wrangler was a lifelong dream. This revelation did not go unnoticed by the students.
“He’s more than just a custodian. He’s a dear friend to all of us. He’s just a very kind, genuine person,” one student shared, highlighting the deep bond between Apraku and the students.
Determined to make Apraku’s dream come true, the students embarked on an ambitious fundraising journey. “We just kind of decided we were going to try to get him his Jeep Wrangler with the GoFundMe, and we never really thought that it would come this far,” Logan Georgelas told WTTG-TV.
The initiative quickly gained momentum. “When we got $5,000 in the first day, we were like, all right, this is real,” Georgelas added.
A milestone achieved
By Saturday, September 7th, the now-sophomores had reached their $20,000 goal. Excited and determined, they headed to the dealership to secure Apraku’s dream car.
On Monday, after school, the students gathered to present Apraku with his cherry red Jeep Wrangler. Overwhelmed with emotion, Apraku said, “Today is a wonderful day in my life, and I will never forget it.”
A community’s joy
The heartfelt gesture left Apraku elated and the students beaming with joy, showcasing the powerful impact of kindness and community spirit.
This inspiring tale of gratitude and generosity serves as a testament to the extraordinary bonds that can form within a school community.