Student Walks Over 20 Miles to First Day of New Job. Boss Finds Out & Gives Him Car
A college student from Alabama named Walter Carr is inspiring lives around the nation with his story of grit, determination and humility.
It started with a broken down vehicle, which might have deterred most people from getting to work. But not Walter Carr.
Carr was a new hire with the moving company Bellhops. The night before he was to report for his first day of work, his car broke down.
So, Carr walked, all night — over a dozen miles to make it to work on time.
Police stopped Carr to find out what he was doing alone on the highway in the middle of the night, and were so impressed with his answer, they drove him into town and bought him breakfast.
Meanwhile, Jenny Lamey and her family were prepared for moving day. There was a knock at her door — a little early — and it was Carr and a police officer, who explained why they’d arrived before their due time.
Lamey was incredibly impressed with the man and invited him inside to rest. Instead, Carr asked if he could go ahead and get started with the job.
Lamey posted the story of Carr on social media, where it quickly went viral.
“He is humble and kind and cheerful and he had big dreams!” Lamey gushed. “He is hardworking and tough.”
The story eventually reached the ears of the CEO of the Bellhops moving company, Luke Marklin.
Marklin said he was “blown away” by Carr’s initiative. Marklin set up a meeting with Carr and gave him an incredible gift: the keys to his personal SUV.
This is an incredible story. The grit and heart Walter showed defines Bellhops’ culture precisely. I’m really proud to be on the same team as Walter… we set a high bar on service and he just raised it. Look forward to thanking him in person this week. https://t.co/Fr4ytu5CM1
— Luke Marklin (@LukeMarklin) July 15, 2018
“I am honestly blown away by him,” Marklin said of Carr. “Everything he did that day is exactly who we are – heart and grit. So far, he’s batting 1,000.”
As Carr accepted the keys to his new ride, he could barely speak. “Seriously?” he asked.
Carr later told Alabama Media Group that his job with Bellhops was the first company in a long time to hire him.
“I wanted to show them I got the dedication,” Carr said, who has plans to be a U.S. Marine. “I said I’m going to get to this job one way or another.”
Carr thanked his parents for making him into the man he is today. His family has been through tough times before, like losing their home in Hurricane Katrina which prompted their move to Alabama.
“I want people to know this — no matter what the challenge is, you can break through the challenge,” Carr said. “Nothing is impossible unless you make it impossible.”
“You can do anything you set your mind to,” he said, choking back tears. “I’ve got God by my side.”
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