Over $26,000 Fundraised Online For Cook Walking 17 Miles A Day To Work

Jun 29, 2021 by apost team

A man's life was changed by a good samaritan who saw him walking on the side of the road. Donte Franklin from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has to walk 17 miles to his job as a cook at Buffalo Wild Wings every day. 

The weather in Oklahoma can be harsh and unpredictable. On some days, Franklin would have to walk in the blazing heat and on others in the freezing snow. Despite the arduous two-and-a-half-hour walk each way, the hard worker has never missed a shift. 

One day a man saw Franklin on his way to work and offered him a ride. After hearing about Franklin's journey to work, the driver, Michael Lynn, was inspired to share the story online, and there was a huge outpouring from the community that wanted to help Franklin somehow. Soon a fundraiser was set up to help Franklin buy a car and learn to drive. 

As of June 22, 2021, the fundraiser has earned over $26,000. That amount of money is certainly enough to change the life of a deserving man like Franklin. A local bike club also donated a new bicycle to Franklin to help him get to work while he learns to drive.   

Typically, Franklin has to leave his house 3 hours before work each day in order to be on time. His commute should be much shorter now with his new bike, and it will improve even more when he gets a car. Now, Franklin's life has changed for the better thanks to his hard work, dedication, and the kindness of a stranger. Rean on to learn more about this heartwarming story.

The most incredible thing about Franklin is his attitude. "I really don't care if it gets tiring. I just have to keep pushing. I walk just to make my family proud," he told Fox News in an interview.

Life has been hard for Franklin ever since his mother passed away while he was still in high school. "She passed away when I was 16-years-old. She had Hepatitis C. After she passed away it's just been hard for me," Franklin shared. Losing a parent at such a young age must have been devastating.

Franklin was incredibly grateful for the ride from Lynn, and he recognizes how that moment changed his life. "I wasn't expecting it, but really it was a true blessing he gave me a ride," Franklin said. Lynn knew the moment he saw Franklin walking to work that there was something he could do to help. He recalled his reaction saying, "I'm like, man, he's walking a long way."  

Impressed by Franklin's story, Lynn said he was inspired to do something more to get him some assistance. "If it can make just one person go help someone else that's all that matters," he said about posting Franklin's story on Facebook. 

Franklin doesn't want to keep the money all for himself. "I can really help my family with this. It's just a really good blessing," he explained. 

Now, Lynn and Franklin have forged a new friendship. "I think we need to keep each other," said Lynn as the two hugged, "I love this guy like my own."

apost.com

Did you find this story touching? Would you stop to give a stranger a ride to work? Let us know what you think, and be sure to send this story on to your loved ones.