Samuel James was recently surprised with a Toyota Highlander SUV outside of Citronelle High School in Alabama, his precious reaction was captured on video later shared to the school’s Facebook page.

“Our custodian Samuel James has been without a vehicle for some time, and has also been down with an injury recently,” the school wrote. “We at Citronelle High wanted to help him out and get him back on his feet. Thank you Sam for all your years of service and for keeping our athletic facilities and our grounds in great shape!”

The act of kindness was done by Deborah Pippin, an English teacher at Citronelle, who wanted someone to take the 10-year-old car.

In the mean time, James who has been working at the school for the past 13 years, told Principal Randy Campbell that he was saving up to buy a new car after his engine blew.

“I was in a conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Pippin, and was talking about some recent purchases,” Campbell said. “They’d bought a couple of new vehicles, and they had this Highlander that they wanted to give to some body, and asked if I knew anybody, and I said sure, Sam was the first one in mind.”

The car is very special for the Pippins, as it was the car they used to bring their children home from the hospital. “I just can’t think of somebody better to be able to give it to, and it’s going to be very special to see him have it,” Deborah Pippin said.

James was moved to tears by the kind gesture, he said, “I’ve known this family for a good eight, nine years that I’ve been here. And they’ve always been good to me,” he said. “And I’m just thankful that the Lord sent them my way and let me get this right here. And I’m blessed to have this, and blessed to have them as really good friends, the Pippins.”

Read more about this wonderful story here!

(Photo courtesy of Samuel James Facebook)

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