For the many students who get their meals at school, the lunch lady is a daily presence in their lives. They may not know her as well as their teachers, but she serves their food every day, maybe for years—and a friendly, personable lunch employee is unforgettable.
Case in point is Debra Davis, the longtime food worker at Hoover High School in City Heights, San Diego, who has been with the school district for 26 years.
She became every student’s favorite lunch lady—someone who does more than fill their trays.
“I feed the kids, I prepare the food, I talk to them, I stop them from fighting,” Davis told CBS8. “They don’t cuss. They have to respect, and they call me ‘Aunt Debbie.'”
“Debbie comes to campus every single day with a smile on her face, ready to take on the day and serve our students,” Principal Jason Babineau said.
Amazingly, her kindness extends beyond the school.
When not serving students, she hands out meals to the homeless and volunteers at a nursing home.
“I use my car to serve the people,” Davis told KGTV.
However, that car was a bit of a mess:
Everyone noticed that Davis drove around an old junker that frequently broke down, although Davis apparently has enough of a soft spot for the old ride to give it a name.
“I call her, ‘Transformer.’ She is my 1976 Chevy Malibu,” she said.
But others knew that she needed a more reliable car than her old “Transformer.” So, in light of her exceptional service to her school and to her community, a life-changing surprise was arranged.
On June 4, the school revealed a gift that left Davis stunned:
After work, Hoover High School employee Debra Davis spends four to five hours a day delivering meals she prepares to homeless people in El Cajon, Chula Vista and downtown San Diego. https://t.co/EXv3Mf2axa @HooverHighBucs @SDschools pic.twitter.com/5w3TXrZ2qD
— Diane Bell (@dianebellSD) July 14, 2018
They got her a new car!
The gift was a united effort between the community and Davis’ students. San Diego Unified partnered up with State Farm Insurance for the Recycled Rides program, who donated a 2014 Mazda 3. With the help of an auto body shop at a local high school, the car was fixed like new.
It was such an upgrade that Davis was overwhelmed. The humorous lady joked she’s “not used to a new car.”
Being a lunch lady can be a thankless job, but due to the kindness of the people around her, Davis was rewarded for all her exceptional service.
“No one has ever done anything like this for me. I thought I was going to get my heaven in heaven. But I got a little piece of heaven right here,” she said, according to KGTV.
Debra Ann Davis radiates positivity to students every day. This car was presented to her in a beautiful act of kindness in collaboration with @StateFarm and Morse High School, San Diego! Catch the full story tonight on SD local news!#KidsForPeace#FueledByPeaceAndKindness pic.twitter.com/YeKmUAfAHs
— Kids for Peace (@KidsforPeace) June 5, 2018
Student Gifted a New Car
At another school in Modesto, a new car was gifted to a hard-working student.
Christian Esquivel was not just any other student who studies at Joseph A. Gregori High School, the hard-working teen has three jobs in addition to his student duties.
Not only was Esquivel helping with the rent, he was also saving up for a car. Seeing the teen’s determination, a teacher of Esquivel’s, Lori Gaines, presented the student with an award for his perseverance.
“It’s exhausting being a full-time student, athlete and working. At this point, he has three jobs and yet he’s always in school, he’s always on time, he’s never late,” Gaines said to Fox 40. “I have him first block and he’s at my tutoring sessions every Tuesday and Thursday. He’s determined to do well and he’s more responsible than most adults I know.”
Gaines was not just any other teacher either, the kind-hearted lady was known for her charity for her students. After learning that Christian was juggling all of his activities without the convenience of a car, the teacher decided something should be done.
Setting up a page on GoFundMe, Gaines set a fund-raising goal of $5,000, enough for her to buy a reliable used car for Esquivel.
The $5,000 goal was reached within three days, but Esquivel was not gifted with a used car.
With the help of the owner of Waterford’s Manteca Ford and Exotic High Line, Phil Waterford, a brand new 2019 Ford was given to Esquivel instead.
“I still can’t believe that this is happening or that it happened,” Esquivel said. “It will make it easier, especially on me.”
“And also my parents, to like relieve some more stress from them,” Esquivel continued.
Another sponsor also stepped forward, surprising Gaines with an all-expense paid trip to Disneyland for her and family.
“Mrs. Gaines, she has always been caring not just to me but to all of her students,” Esquivel said. “For her to start this it also took me by surprise but it’s just the kind of person she is. I’m grateful for her, very grateful for her.”
In addition to a new car, the dealership also offered Esquivel a paid internship, so the hard-working teen can earn more with less time.
