A Virginia high school janitor was overcome with emotion and rolled on the ground in tears on Monday when students who raised $20,000 surprised him with his dream car.
Francis Aprak, a janitor at James Madison High School, left his family behind for the United States several years ago and told students he wanted a Jeep Wrangler for his birthday but couldn't afford it, according to a GoFundMe set up by the boys.
The students began fundraising last year when they were freshmen, and a year later their efforts have come to fruition.
“We just decided to get him a Jeep Wrangler on GoFundMe and never thought it would get to this point,” sophomore Logan Georgulas said. He told Fox 5 DC.
“When we raised $5,000 on the first day, we thought, 'OK, this is real.'”
The video shows the heartwarming moment after students presented Aprak with a new bike.
Aprak was seen rolling on the sunny sidewalk with his arms stretched above his head in the parking lot of a local restaurant where the surprise took place.
He lay on the ground in utter disbelief and bliss, until he was finally helped to his feet.
“Oh my god,” he kept saying. “Oh my god.”
He said he will never forget the generosity shown.
“I thank almighty God for giving me this day. Today is a wonderful day for me and I never believed this would happen in my life,” Aprak said. He told Fox 5 DC.
One of the students He told WUSA Aprak is more than just an administrator to them.
“He's a dear friend to all of us. A very kind and genuine person,” the boy said.
“Ever since we met Francis, he has been so kind and friendly and even prays for us sometimes,” the boys said at the fundraiser.
