Courtesy: KTEN
WFAA
Author: Paul Livengood
Published: 1:57 PM CST February 23, 2023
Updated: 4:11 PM CST February 23, 2023
CALLISBURG, Texas — Kindness goes a long way.
Three seniors from a North Texas high school are showing what a little compassion can accomplish. Their high school janitor, Mr. James, who is 80 years old, left retirement to begin working again after struggling to pay his rising rent.
"He shared with me his rent within a year has gone up nearly $400, and he just couldn't afford to continue paying without going back to work," Principal Jason Hooper told ABC affiliate KTEN.
"When I saw him in the hall, it broke my heart," senior Greyson Thurman added. "Nobody at that age should be working; they should be living the rest of their life, you know?"
The students started a GoFundMe page for Mr. James to help him out and posted a video on TikTok to spread the news. Their original goal was to raise $10,000 for him.
"Just a little will change his life!" Thurman said in the GoFundMe bio.
This is amazing! Since these 3 North Texas students posted this TikTok and started a GoFundMe for “Mr. James” — an 80-yr-old man who unretired to afford his rent — and have raised more than $215K in just over a week! Their original goal was $10K. ❤️🙏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/5RVA3w71L9
— Paul B. Livengood II (@IamLivengood) February 23, 2023
The student's heartwarming plea for help has captured the hearts and eyes of many. So much so, the GoFundMe fundraiser for Mr. James has raised nearly $35,000 in three days, so they raised the goal to $80,000. As of Feb. 23, the GoFundMe had shot up to $220,000 from nearly 7,000 donations.
The comment section of the TikTok video is filled with heartwarming comments about how touched everyone is by the students' generosity.
"We did the easy work, all the great people who donated really helped," Thurman responded to one viewer.
According to KTEN, the students said they'll keep the fundraiser going until it slows down.