Students Raise Over $215,000 for North Texas Janitor Struggling to Pay Rent

CALLISBURG, Texas. Kindness matters a lot.

Three high school students in North Texas demonstrate what a little compassion can achieve. Their school janitor, Mr. James, who is 80, has retired to start working again after struggling to pay rising rents.

“He shared with me that his rent had gone up nearly $400 in a year and he just couldn’t afford to keep paying without going back to work,” said director Jason Hooper, ABC member, KTEN.

“When I saw him in the hall, my heart broke,” added senior Grayson Thurman. “No one at that age should work, they should live out the rest of their lives, you know?”

The students set up a GoFundMe page for Mr. James to help him and posted a video on TikTok to spread the news. Their original goal was to raise $10,000 for him.

“Just a little will change his life!” Thurman said in a GoFundMe biography.

The student’s spiritual plea for help won the hearts and eyes of many. So much so that the GoFundMe fundraiser for Mr. James raised almost $35,000 in three days, so they raised the goal to $80,000. As of Feb. 23, GoFundMe has jumped to $215,000 with nearly 7,000 donations.

The comment section of the TikTok video is filled with warm comments about how everyone is touched by the generosity of the students.

“We did an easy job, all the wonderful people who donated really helped,” Thurman replied to one viewer.

According to KTEN, the students said they would keep fundraising until it slowed down.