High Schoolers Surprise Janitor From Ghana with Dream Car: a Red Jeep in Time for His Birthday

These high school sophomores recently raised over $20,000 to surprise their favorite school janitor with a brand-new car.

The fundraiser kicked off in advance of Francis Apraku’s birthday, whom the boys describe as “super kind and friendly.” They asked him what he wanted as a present, and, joking, the Ghanaian immigrant replied that he’d love a new Jeep Wrangler.

Bennett, Nick H, Nick T, Artin, Joey, Yousif, and Logan, hoped to have enough by the time they graduated from James Maddison High School in Vienna, Virginia, to give Apraku his Jeep.

After creating their GoFundMe in May, however, they had enough by summer’s end to give him his surprise.

With the help of their community, they raised $21,000 which they used to buy the Jeep in candy apple red, surprising Apraku in the parking lot of the school last Monday.

“He moved to America away from his family and friends a few years ago,” the students wrote on their GoFundMe. “Ever since we met Francis he has been super kind and friendly and sometimes even says prayers for us.” “This day, the 9th of September, I will never forget,” Apraku said to the students gathered around.