In a heartwarming demonstration of generosity, 17-year-old Haley Bridges, a Chick-fil-A employee from Appleton, Wisconsin, proved that the spirit of giving is alive and well. When she won a car at a company raffle, she didn’t hesitate to donate it to a coworker in need. However, this inspiring story doesn’t end there, as Haley herself would soon experience a touching act of kindness in return.
During a company banquet, Haley received five raffle tickets and, to her astonishment, won the grand prize: a brand-new car. But instead of keeping the prize, she chose to exhibit the strong bonds that exist among Chick-fil-A employees by donating the car to her 19-year-old friend and coworker, Hokule’a Taniguchi. According to The Blaze, Hokule’a had been commuting to work on a bicycle throughout the fall and winter seasons, prompting Haley to believe her friend would benefit more from the car.
Chick-fil-A Appleton praised Haley’s selflessness on their Facebook page, celebrating the incredible act of giving that would change Hokule’a’s life. Haley, who started working at Chick-fil-A in late August, explained to Today that her coworkers are her second family and that she has no regrets about her decision, despite her mom’s initial disappointment.
Haley and her friends had already planned to donate the car to Hokule’a if any of them won the raffle. After winning, Haley’s heart raced as she and Hokule’a, both in tears, embraced in a moment of pure joy. Everyone in the room either cried or clapped, and they all shared a group hug. “No one deserves it more than Hoku,” Haley said.
Hokule’a was overjoyed and grateful for her friend’s generosity, expressing how blessed she felt to be part of the Chick-fil-A family. With the new car, she can now go grocery shopping and arrive at work much faster than before, opening up a world of opportunities and possibilities.
The story took another heartwarming turn when Haley’s aunt, inspired by her niece’s selflessness, held a fundraiser to pay off Haley’s own car loan. Haley had been paying monthly for a car that consumed a significant portion of her paycheck when she decided to give away the prize car to her friend. At just 17 years old, Haley Bridges demonstrated an extraordinary level of generosity, teaching us all a valuable lesson about the power of a giving spirit.
Sources: Taphaps, The Blaze, Today
