The GoFundMe fundraiser set up by an eight-year-old boy to help his favorite <a href="https://vt.co/news/us/boy-8-raises-over-70000-for-his-waffle-house-server-after-learning-he-was-living-in-a-motel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Waffle House</a> employee who lives in a motel has surpassed the $100,000 mark. Kayzen Hunter, of Little Rock, and his family visit their local Waffle House so much that they've gotten acquainted with the servers there. The little boy always orders his go-to meal - hash browns and eggs - and asks to sit in the section where 29-year-old waiter Devonte Gardner is covering, per <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/03/02/waffle-house-arkansas-waiter-fundraiser/">Washington Post</a>. Gardner began to share a heartwarming friendship with Kayzen's family, which is why on one particular occasion, he asked the second grader's grandfather, John Donofrio, if anyone knows where he could buy a cheap car. [[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10225508629799974]] The family found out that the staffer was walking several miles to work to support his wife and children, and was also living at a motel after moving out of their apartment that had become infested with rats and contaminated with black mold. Upon hearing of his devastating situation, Kayzen immediately had an idea - with the help of his mother Vittoria Hunter - to set up a fundraiser for Gardner. Kayzen shared more of the server's story on the donation page, which read: "He is a dedicated worker and has to walk or get a ride to get to work every day." "He was looking for a decent-priced car, and his family was unfortunate and ended up in an apartment riddled with black mold. He had to get his kids out and it set him back a lot," he continued. The kid noted that the money would help get Gardner "into a clean rental property" and buy "a reliable vehicle to drive his family and get to and from work." He concluded the touching description by complimenting his work ethic and urging people to contribute: "Devonte is one of the most joyous and positive people you’ve ever met!! He always greets us with the biggest smile." "I hope your heart is as BIG as mine and you will help me spread kindness in the world," he added. <img class="wp-image-1263204440 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-03-at-17.55.28.png" alt="" width="2274" height="1174" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: GoFundMe]] The fundraiser has greatly surpassed its initial $5,000 goal and amassed a whopping $116,620 in donations for the Waffle Houser worker. Gardner spoke to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/03/02/waffle-house-arkansas-waiter-fundraiser/">The Washington Post</a> about the money raised and revealed that he can now move his family into a one-bedroom apartment and even <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vittoria.donofrio.10/posts/pfbid0ExGNRAKih8iKiJp7xKE5BvrxLaFfdBMsQsyiWHeMJfSMRfxVP4PwGcBbSSrJAK8el">bought a car last month</a>. He also expressed his gratefulness for Kayzen and everyone who generously contributed, adding: "I’m really touched deeply by it all. And as far as my little buddy goes, he’s my best friend for life." The boy's mother spoke to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/waffle-house-employee-car-gofundme-b2293191.html">The Independent</a> and said that while the GoFundMe has reached its original goal, the family still wants to help raise more money for Gardner and his little girls. "We would love nothing more than to see this sweet family be able to purchase, not only a family car, but a home to raise their little girls in," she said. "Devonte has also mentioned wanting to open a business of his own, so to see him bring that dream to fruition would be incredible," Vittoria added. <h6>Featured image credit: Jonathan Weiss / Alamy</h6>

Fundraiser set up by boy, 8, for Waffle House server who lives in motel hits $100K+

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