An Arkansas police officer, who saw a young man walking down the road at two o’clock in the morning on a frigid cold night, stopped to ask if he wanted a ride. The chance encounter ended up changing the college student’s life.
Jonesboro Police Officer John Shipman learned that James Taylor, an Arkansas State University student didn’t have a car, and walked four miles to get to his job at McDonald’s, no matter the weather.
Afterward, Shipman posted on Facebook about the encounter: “His family is the usual. One parent and can’t afford to help…. He gets off at the same time tomorrow night. I told him I would be be by to see if he needs a ride.”
“And when I woke up the next morning, it had took off,” Shipman told the local news station, KAIT.
In just 3 days, the initial $1,400 goal was surpassed.
“The community’s response to this has just humbled me,” Shipman said. “With so much negative in the news it feels good to hear about something positive.”
More than one hundred people and businesses have donated online and in person. As of today, over $5,700 had been raised — enough for a car, and insurance for a couple years.
(WATCH the video below or READ more from KAIT-TV) – Story tip from John Baumgarten
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