For the past three years, Rodolfo Depaz has walked more than four miles every day between his two jobs at Dairy Queen and Chipotle in Roseville, Minnesota. The father of two would send most of his income back home to his family in El Salvador, but his long commute recently changed when a friend he met through Bible study surprised him with a 2000 Buick Century, his first car in the U.S.
Depaz’s story got a lot of attention after his former coworker, Emily Hinderscheid, launched a crowdfund to support him. She described his dedication, working 80-hour weeks and spending almost nothing on himself. Over time, her family grew close to him, inviting him to dinners, gifting him a bike, and welcoming him to family holidays. Depaz showed his appreciation by surprising Mike Hinderscheid with a Dairy Queen ice cream cake decorated with the word “Dad” for Father’s Day.
Todd Nelson, the Dairy Queen franchisee director of operations, called Depaz one of the hardest workers he’s ever seen, noting that he shows up without fail, even in bad weather. Nelson has also arranged legal assistance to help bring Depaz’s wife and children to the United States. For Depaz, the generosity from friends and coworkers has been life-changing, and he calls the gift of the car a blessing.
Source: NY POST