James Mogaji is more than just a security guard at Providence University, in Rhode Island, USA. He has, students report, a welcoming smile and an open door for chat, during the four night shifts he works weekly. So, the young men tried to find a way to repay him: They raised money so Mogaji, a Nigerian who has been living in the United States for 11 years, could travel home to visit his family.
The surprise, carried out on March 7, left the security guard in tears, with North American media and the Internet having a meltdown at the initiative of the youth. “Tonight, we were able to provide enough money for James to travel to Nigeria and visit his family in June,” freshman fundraiser Brandon Reichert wrote on the fundraising platform. GoFundMe.
In a TikTok post, second-year psychology and marketing students Danielle Singh and Reichert W Other housemates To present to James Mogagi. “A while ago, you told us you wanted to go to Nigeria to see your family, who you hadn't seen in a long time, so we got together and spread the word, and we created a GoFundMe because we care about them. Ours, because that's what we do at Providence University,” says Singh, a junior from Bronx, New York, who arrived at university with Merit Scholarship. “Since I've been here, they've done it for me, we've done it for each other, and now we're doing it for you. You're part of the family, so our gift to you is a trip to Nigeria.
@lkquinnco ??Please stop by and take the time to watch and share this amazing display of unrelenting kindness and humanity at its best.?? Now it's time for me to brag – my best friend Jess Reichert, son of Brandon, is the kindest, deepest, most generous soul. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree) I was once again amazed by Brandon's God gift of always doing the right thing and recognizing what is truly important in this world – love and kindness. Brandon started a Gofundme for night security guard James at his Providence College dorm. James had been wanting to visit his family in Nigeria for a long time, and Brandon along with all the wonderful students on his PC floor started raising money for James to bring him home. Today they gave him a ride. This act of kindness shows us that we are more alike than not. Brandon's ability to always do the right thing, lead, and show compassion and gratitude have been highlights of my life as I watched him grow into the amazing young man he is now. In that regard, I want to give Jess Reichert all the respect in the world for raising this boy as a single mother and shaping him to be everything he is. Because of the countless sacrifices she has made and continues to make and the obstacles she endures to make sure he has every opportunity to continue on his path which we can all learn from as parents. This is also your reward, Jesse, everything this boy is is because of you! I'm so proud to be your friend! I love you both so much!!! Let's keep this going with share! @wcvb5 @wpri12 @therhodeshow @abc6providence @channelkindness @thekindnessrocksproject #belikeBrandon #providencecollege #gofundme #Governmental #pcfriars #Kindness Matters ? Original sound – Leah Quinn
This announcement left the security guard, who fell to his knees on the ground, crying, in a state of shock. “This was unexpected,” James Mogagi tells the students in the video. “I don’t know how I can thank you. I pray from the bottom of my heart that God will continue to protect you and ensure you achieve your goals.
Donations were collected on the GoFundMe platform Created on February 29th By Brandon Reichert. The goal was to raise enough money so James could travel to Nigeria and see his family, from whom he had been away for 11 years, explaining how special the security guard at his university was. “For those who don't know James, he is truly one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He greets everyone with a smile and always loves a chat, no matter what time of night we meet.
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And the Internet responded: In just 24 hours, the students raised $3,000 (the value of a round-trip flight from Providence to Lagos), ultimately raising $30,360 (€28,082). Meanwhile, Reichert informed that all donations received “will be given to James at the end of the school year, in May, to fund another trip.”
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