After seeing a Georgia teen work a Burger King shift right after graduation, Maria Mendoza launched a fundraiser that has now raised more than $110K for his college.
DACULA, Ga. — A fundraiser launched to support a Georgia teen’s college dreams has now raised over $110,000 after a stranger was inspired by his quiet act of kindness.
It started with a late-night visit to a Burger King drive-thru.
Maria Mendoza had just watched her daughter, Daisy, graduate and stopped to grab a snack. That’s when she saw Mykale Baker, a recent graduate himself, working behind the counter, still wearing his graduation medals and smiling as he filled orders.
“He was so kind, so polite,” she said. “Radiating joy, even after such a big day. His dedication and quiet strength really moved me. I felt called to do something to recognize that.”
Touched by his work ethic, Maria created the fundraiser to help Mykale pay for college.
“While many graduates spent the night celebrating with friends and family, one young man quietly showed the world what determination looks like. Just after receiving his diploma—still proudly wearing his medals—he reported to his shift at Burger King. He didn’t do it for attention. He doesn’t even know his story went viral. But thousands of people were moved by his dedication, humility, and work ethic,” the online fundraiser reads.
The response was immediate. Within days, the campaign brought in more than $20,000. But as his story spread, the donations kept growing. As of Friday night, the total has reached over $110,000.
Maria returned to that same Burger King to surprise Mykale with the donation. The moment left them both in tears.
“I’m just grateful I got to do something for him,” she said. “He inspired me.”
She later found out Mykale hadn’t even been scheduled to work that night. But when he saw the team overwhelmed with orders after graduation, he jumped in to help, without hesitation.
Now, Maria hopes his story encourages others to notice the good in young people, reward hard work, and lead with kindness.
Congratulations, Mykale. Your future is bright, and the world is lucky to have you in it.
