Young Man Receives Car from Total Strangers

Young Man Receives Car from Total Strangers

Andy Mitchell was driving along Rockwall, Texas when he noticed a young man in a fast food uniform walking on a 95-degree summer day. He pulled over, rolled down his window and offered the 20-year-old Justin Korva, a ride. 

While driving Korva to work at Taco Casa, Mitchell found out that the young man walks 3 miles every day to go to work. He wanted to save money so he could afford to buy a car.

Inspiring determination

Inspired by Korva's determination, Mitchell posted about the encounter after dropping the young man to work.

"To all the people that say they want to work but can't find a job or don't have a vehicle, all I can say is you don't want it bad enough," Mitchell posted.

Money was raised for Korva

Hundreds of people in the community saw his post, including Samee Dowlatshahi, owner of Samee's Pizza Getti Italian Bistro & Lounge in Rockwell. Dowlatshahi offered to put a donation box inside his pizza joint to help Korva in his quest to buy a car.

Dowlatshahi and Mitchell were able to raise more than $5,500 in less than 48 hours.

A dream about to come true

Danny Rawls, general sales manager at Toyota of Rockwall and a friend of Dowlatshahi heard about Korva's story. He told his general manager about the young man and agreed to help him. The pair reduced the price on a 2004 Toyota Camry that was available.

"I sent Dowlatshahi a private message and said, 'Give me a call. I have a nice car that would work for the kid,'" Rawls explained.

They have enough money to buy the car, one-year insurance two years' worth of oil changes and a $500 gas card.

Surprise visit

They drove the White 2004 Camry to Taco Casa and asked Korva to come outside.

"Justin, you can't imagine all the people who wanted to help you," Mitchell said, as several people filmed the exchange on their cell phones in the restaurant parking lot. "So, instead of walking to work, buddy, you're driving this car from now on."

Korva looked at Mitchell in disbelief. Mitchell repeatedly told him that it is his car. Korva gave each man a hug, wiping tears from his eyes as he walked toward the car.

Korva deserves the car

"We just want you to know, seriously, this community, nothing we love better than to have someone who works hard," Dowlatshahi said. "We take a lot of pride in that. It's so hot out here. I can't believe you walk even one mile in this heat."

Rawls helped Korva complete the paperwork on the car and put the title in his name. 

According to him, Korva is a very humble young man, and he is more than deserving for the kind gesture. 

“No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.”

- Amelia Earhart