Student Receives Car From CEO After Walking 20 Miles to Work

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College Student Receives Car From CEO At His Job

On the night before Walter Carr was to begin a new job at Bellhops moving company, the college student’s 2003 Nissan Altima broke down. But instead of calling in and missing his first day, Carr decided to travel to work by foot–which was no easy feat.

The student was expected to arrive at a client’s home at 8 a.m. in Pelham, Alabama, and in order to get there on time, he had to leave his house at approximately midnight to begin his seven-hour, 20-mile walk.

At around 4 a.m., police stopped Carr on the street to check on him. After he explained his situation, officers took him to breakfast and then drove him to the client’s home about an hour and a half early. The customer, Jenny Lamey, was so touched by his story that she decided to launch a GoFundMe in order to help him purchase a new vehicle.

“I just can’t tell you how touched I was by Walter and his journey. He is humble and kind and cheerful and he had big dreams! He is hardworking and tough. I can’t imagine how many times on that lonely walk down 280 in the middle of the night did he want to turn back,” Lamey wrote on Facebook. “How many times did he wonder if this was the best idea. How many times did he want to find a place to sit or lie down and wait til morning when he could maybe get someone to come pick him up and bring him back home. But he walked until he got here! I am in total awe of this young man!”

After hearing about his new employee’s dedication, Bellhops’ CEO Luke Marklin traveled to the student’s hometown to thank him in person and present him with his very own 2014 Ford Escape.

“I am honestly blown away by him,” Marklin told AL.com. “Everything he did that day is exactly who we are – heart and grit. So far, he’s batting 1,000.”

Carr moved to Alabama from New Orleans after he and his mom lost their home in Hurricane Katrina. The U.S. Marine-hopeful made sure to thank Marklin, as well as everyone else who showed him support in his time of need.

“This was the first job in a long time to give me an opportunity to get hired,’” he said. “I wanted to show them I got the dedication. I said I’m going to get to this job one way or another […] I want people to know this: No matter what the challenge is, you can break through the challenge. Nothing is impossible unless you make it impossible.”