An 8-year-old boy named Kayzen Hunter from Arkansas recently raised $100,000 for his favorite Waffle House server, Devonte Gardner. The young boy had become familiar with Gardner while dining with his family at the local Waffle House, where Gardner worked as a server. Gardner quickly became Kayzen’s favorite server, always giving him high fives and listening to his jokes.
However, one day, Kayzen noticed that Gardner was often dropped off for work because he didn’t have a car. Gardner then shared with Kayzen’s family that he was living with his wife and two daughters in a hotel due to issues with their previous home. The family had decided to move into a low-income area to find something affordable, but the conditions were not ideal. They faced infestations with rats and roaches, black mold, no heat, and more.
“We just got tired of infestations with rats and roaches and all this black mold. My daughters were getting sick. No heat and things like that. When it was cold outside, we had to bundle up with like four or five blankets in order to stay warm,” Gardner told Today.com.
Kayzen wanted to help his friend, so he came up with the idea to start a GoFundMe to help Gardner get a car to help him get back and forth to work. Initially, the goal for the fundraiser was set at $500, but it quickly exceeded that amount, raising over $100,000. People were moved by the GoFundMe page written by Kayzen and his mom.
“Devonte is one of the most joyous and positive people you’ve ever met!! He always greets us with the biggest smile,” Kayzen wrote on the GoFundMe. “I hope your heart is as BIG as mine and you will help me spread kindness in the world. Any amount helps!!”
Gardner has big plans for the money raised by Kayzen. His first step is moving into a brand new apartment. The father of two recently signed the lease on a two-bedroom apartment. As for the rest of the money? He plans to save it to ensure his daughters have a good life and can attend a good school.
“I’m gonna save the rest because I want to put my daughters in a good school, I want them to be in a good environment,” Gardner explained to Today.com. “Everything I’m getting is going mostly towards my daughters to make sure they have a great, great life. Make sure we won’t have to struggle anymore.”
Gardner still works at Waffle House and greets Kayzen and his family just like always, high five and all. The relationship between Gardner and Kayzen’s family serves as an inspiration to others, reminding us of the power of kindness and the importance of helping those in need.