**Update** Thank you everyone for the outpouring of support. Before taking Joshua to work today I was able to spend about an hour talking with him. I didn’t get into the specifics of everything everyone has done for him, however I asked him if he could do anything with a large bit of money what would he do?? His response was to learn how to invest it so he could give back to others.. that’s the type of kid that we are giving a hand up to with all of this. I told him that the best way to invest that money is in himself, get an education so that he can work at a place like YESS(Youth Emergency Shelter Services) to help others, and that would be a sure multiplier of the invest that others are making in him. We will also be planning a drive by graduation party at some point for those that are local to Ankeny/Central Iowa. Thank you all so so much! —————————————————- Yesterday, Ankeny Centennial had their graduation ceremony in Ames. The story about Joshua and I had been shared a bit, but probably not as much as it could because I believe what you do when nobody is looking says a lot more than doing it to post on FB. So with that, I’ve debated about posting more about it, because I don’t want to take away from HIS story. The first day I met Joshua I asked if I could share his story with others, and he agreed. So here goes: The first time I saw Joshua was on a Friday night I had left a men’s church group dinner at Fletcher, when we left that night it was snowing pretty good. In fact our group that would normally be 7-10 of us was only 4 due to weather. When we left we had to brush off our vehicles as it continued to snow.... so you get the idea, cold/wet/snow. Joshua was waking up Ankeny Blvd as I was turning off of 18th. It crossed my mind how odd it was that this man would be walking in this weather. It also crossed my mind to stop, but as everyone is always told dont talk to strangers... so I figured he would brush me off, and continue to walk. I went a couple of blocks and changed my mind. I shouldn’t be the one that tells him no without asking, let him tell me no. So I turned around, but I could find him on Ankeny Blvd. I told myself that was because he must have made it back home already. Several months later, I think around March, I was driving on 18th again and saw Joshua walking south this time. Once again I justified not stopping bc he probably worked at Hy-Vee and it’s not *that far* from 18th. I made my right turn on to Blvd and continued south. Once again I changed my mind. I turned around and went back to pick him up, and this time I didn’t lose him. I found out that Joshua didn’t work at Hy-Vee. He works at Wendy’s, yes that Wendy’s on Se Delaware. I also found out he lives north of Ne 49th st. It takes Joshua 1:40 to walk to work 5.5 miles away. Which means that on that crappy snowy night he had to walk 5.5miles back home. On the short drive I told him that he could call or text me anytime for a ride to work, and I would help him the best that I could. Since that time I’ve been fortunate enough to give him a ride a dozen or so times. Most of the other times he gets another ride, or will walk it if the weather is nice. I’ve asked him why he works there? After all there are so many places that are closer. He told me it is because of the people he works with at Wendy’s. He also told me that he made the commitment to them knowing he would have to walk sometimes and he wouldn’t let that get in the way. For him weather is a challenge that he knew he would have to overcome. Two days ago, Charisse Andy Karpan reached out to me about Centennial’s graduation on Saturday. I knew nothing about this as my kids are still in elementary school. So I reached out to Joshua about it he would need a ride, being their graduation ceremony was in Ames. Turns out he did need a ride up there. So Charisse helped me with a ticket, and we were on our way. As Joshua had done many times for many miles Joshua walked. This time however it was to get his diploma, and somehow I was there to see it. I don’t know all of Joshua’s story, and it doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that I was about to give assistance, and it has always been appreciated. When I drop him off he says thank you no less than 3 times. I know that his living situation is “non-traditional” in that he lives separated from his family. While many seniors would be spending their graduation money on clothes, shoes, the newest tech toy, etc; I’m sure Joshua would be using his for rent, or other basic necessities. A little bit more background, Joshua wants to go to Dmacc and study marketing. He wears M or L shirts, and size 10 shoes. He also likes to read, and listen to music, wants to get better drawing/art