PELHAM, Ala. — An Alabama college student whose car broke down just before his first day of work made the 20-mile (32-kilometer) journey on foot, a feat that earned him fame — and a new car.
News outlets report that hours before his first day working for Bellhops movers, Walter Carr set out from Homewood at midnight, making it to Pelham by 4 a.m. Friday. There, he encountered Pelham police officers, who took him to breakfast and dropped him at his assignment.
Proud to have encountered this young man. He certainly made an impact on us!#PelhamPD #belikewalter pic.twitter.com/d0zz0PMvnv— Pelham Police Dept (@PelhamPoliceAL) July 16, 2018
Proud to have encountered this young man. He certainly made an impact on us!#PelhamPD #belikewalter pic.twitter.com/d0zz0PMvnv
Client Jenny Lamey says Carr declined her offer to rest, instead getting straight to work. Impressed by the Hurricane Katrina refugee's work ethic, she started a GoFundMe that's raised more than $6,600. When Bellhops CEO Luke Marklin learned about his new employee, he drove his own car from Tennessee on Monday to surprise Carr with it.
People took to Twitter to voice share their well-wishes for Carr.
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
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
My father was from Alabama (Gadsden), and your treatment of Walter Carr, your recognition of what he has to offer your company, his family, and the wider world makes me proud of my father's birthplace and a great admirer of you and your company culture.— Lance Mason (@Lance_Mason_com) July 17, 2018
My father was from Alabama (Gadsden), and your treatment of Walter Carr, your recognition of what he has to offer your company, his family, and the wider world makes me proud of my father's birthplace and a great admirer of you and your company culture.
AMAZING ?? Walter Carr was willing to walk all night to be on time for his first day of work and now his story has gone viral, prompting an outpouring of community support and a generous move by his employer's CEO https://t.co/iVUZscl4JS pic.twitter.com/1KdMAwXkCb— KRON4 News (@kron4news) July 17, 2018
AMAZING ?? Walter Carr was willing to walk all night to be on time for his first day of work and now his story has gone viral, prompting an outpouring of community support and a generous move by his employer's CEO https://t.co/iVUZscl4JS pic.twitter.com/1KdMAwXkCb