Update: GA Burger King Employee Who Worked Last-Minute Shift In Graduation Clothes After His High School Ceremony Gets $22K In Donations

[Sugar Cookie]

A freshly graduated Georgia high schooler collected his diploma and got back to work slinging burgers at Burger King just hours after the ceremony– inspiring a local mom to raise thousands for his college education.

Mykale Baker picked up a shift at the Dacula, Georgia, restaurant where he worked after seeing the late-night rush on May 21.

The 18-year-old had graduated from Mills Creek High School hours earlier and was still wearing his graduation stole and medals while donning plastic gloves to bag orders at the fast food joint.

Baker’s attire caught the attention of eagle-eyed customer, Maria Mendoza, who recorded a TikTok of the hard-working employee who decided to hustle and delay his well-earned summer vacation.

“While many graduates spent the night celebrating with friends and family, one young man quietly showed the world what determination looks like,” Mendoza wrote on GoFundMe. “Just after receiving his diploma—still proudly wearing his medals—he reported to his shift at Burger King.”

Mendoza’s drive-thru interaction with Baker took place around 10 p.m. after she saw her daughter graduate from the same Hoschton school.

Mendoza’s 20-second clip of Baker has been viewed over 3 million times.

Mendoza was captivated by Baker’s “radiating joy” and politeness, which inspired her to start the crowdfunding campaign.

The GoFundMe has garnered over $22,000, and all the money will be given to Baker so he can pursue his college dreams.

“His dedication and quiet strength really moved me. I felt called to do something to recognize that,” she told 11 Alive. “I’m just grateful I got to do something for him.”

Baker revealed the uncertainty he faced post-graduation because of financial restrictions, but was hoping to go to a trade school.

“Thank you so much, I was thinking of taking a gap year because I didn’t have money for school, but thank you to all of you now, I might actually go straight to technical college and get my mechanical (sic),” he said, addressing Mendoza’s TikTok followers.

“I never thought this would happen to me, I’m very thankful,” Baker added, fighting through tears.

Read complete article here

Burger King employee who worked last-minute shift in graduation clothes after his high school ceremony gets $22K in donations

From walking the line to working it!

nypost.com

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A fundraiser that went viral when a stranger shared a TikTok about a Georgia teen who rushed to work a Burger King shift hours after his high school graduation has raised more than double its goal this week — and the sum is still swelling.

The “From Burger King to a College Dream” fund skyrocketed to nearly $130,000 as of Saturday afternoon, a mouth-watering sum Mykale Baker plans to use to fulfill his dream of higher education.

“I feel happy,” Baker, 18, said in an interview with 11 Alive this week.

“I just want to say thank you to my parents and all the people that see the good in me and believe in me, and donated all that money to me.”

The online fundraiser reached the staggering goal within just 10 days of being established.

Thousands of dollars trickled in across the first few days, but soared to six figures when the heartwarming story was shared across social media and news outlets, quickly decimating the $60,000 goal.

Donors included thousands of well-wishers, most of whom were strangers.

“Remember, this money is for you. Not for mama, the church, or others in need. It’s an investment in your future. Invest it in yourself wisely and you’ll have much more to share with others down the road!” one anonymous donor wrote.

GoFundMe for teen who rushed to Burger King shift after graduation skyrockets to $130K — and keeps climbing

The “From Burger King to a College Dream” fund skyrocketed to nearly $130,000, a mouth-watering sum Mykale Baker plans to use to fulfill his dream of higher education.

nypost.com

 

[BuffettGirl]

I love this for Mykale! I've gotten into a couple of verbal brawls with some assholes on NYP about this. I can't comprehend the hate some people have for a kid that did the right thing and got rewarded for it!

 

[Sugar Cookie]

@BuffettGirl

This was an update form last September. I hope he continues to do well and stays humble.

Sep 6
Maria MendozaOrganizer

We’re excited to share some wonderful news! Mykale officially started his classes on the 18th at Gwinnett Tech for Automotive, and it has been such a blessing to see this new chapter begin.

On top of that, we were invited for a private tour of the Hyundai Meta Plant here in Georgia, a massive, high-tech facility that left us in awe. The people there treated us with so much kindness, and it truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This journey has been nothing short of amazing, and we are beyond grateful for all the love, prayers, and support we’ve received along the way. Every step forward is possible because of YOU.

Thank you for continuing to believe in Mykale’s dreams and helping us make them a reality.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-burger-king-to-college-a-dream

The gofundme raised a total of 237,411 (at this point)