Principal takes night job at Walmart to help students in need — then company leaves him stunned with heartwarming surprise
Some educators go way beyond their actual work to help their students. Their work isn't just restricted to how the person is doing at school; they try to ensure their overall well-being as well. A high school principal who took up a second job at Walmart during the night to help his students is a shining example. The principal of North Charleston High School in North Charleston, Carolina, Henry Darby, saw his students and the community struggling after the pandemic and hence decided to do something about that, as per TODAY.com and received a wholesome surprise from Walmart in exchange.
The man took up the job of stocking shelves from 10 PM to 7 AM and decided that every paycheck he got from the job would go towards helping his students in need of financial aid. Nobody knew about what Darby did during the day or his purpose of being at the job. "The attention, I'm not used to it. I don't think that I've done anything worthy of distinction to warrant the attention," the principal told the outlet. Ninety percent of the student body at the school lives below the poverty line. "I get a little emotional because when you've got children you've heard, sleeping under a bridge, or a former student and her child, they're sleeping in a car, or when you go to a parent's house because there are problems and you knock on the door, there are no curtains and you see a mattress on the floor," the man shared with tears in his eyes.
He went on, "And these people need — and I wasn't gonna say no. And at my age, you know, we don't ask for money. We just don't. You just go ahead and do what you need to do." The store manager, Cynthia Solomon, pointed out, "Even before we knew, there was something special about him. I would be so happy to have Mr. Darby for as long as he will have us as a part of his family and beyond." Several students recounted how Darby has always been a helpful person and way beyond his duties. The man wants his students to pay his kindness forward someday. "It's quite simple, simplistic: Just learn to help others. That is one of the greatest things that we could do in terms of human beings."
The principal continued, "I am an optimist. But I'm also a determinist." He explained, "I know that it's going to get better. I know that these times will not always be with us. I know that my students will not always be in poverty. I know that because that's what we are. America makes it better for everybody." The principal's selfless act to make his students' lives better prompted Walmart to extend surprise help for the principal at an unlikely spot. Solomon reached out to TODAY and decided to present the man with a $50,000 check for his school to help the students.
The money was presented to the man during a live broadcast as his students cheered for him. "You’re awesome and we appreciate you here at Walmart for all you are doing to serve your community," Solomon expressed. "Thank you so very much. This is going to go a very, very long way with our students, sir," Darby admitted. When asked whether he would continue his job or not, the principal said that he would keep working and giving his check to his students till the time Walmart would have him. As per NPR, the man also received the highest civilian honor from the state, the Order of the Palmetto and a crowdfunding of over $1,95,000.