Texas High School Swim Team Hosts Swim-a-Thon to Support Ill Custodian

School custodians are the often overlooked yet essential backbone of educational institutions, ensuring the smooth running of daily operations.

Data from Zip Recruiter reveals that custodians earn an average salary of about $35,000 a year. This amount can be quite challenging to manage, especially for those with families living in areas with high living costs. When students at a high school in Richardson, TX, learned that their cherished custodian was struggling with a prolonged illness, the North Dallas County community rallied together, demonstrating remarkable support to aid his recovery.

This week’s Feel-Good Friday highlights the profound impact of lasting influence.

Contrary to the clichéd portrayals of custodians in media, these professionals deserve significant respect. Like teachers and administrators, custodians undergo a rigorous hiring process and are trusted figures within the school environment. Their dedication often makes them more attuned to students’ needs than even some faculty members. The story of Mr. Le illustrates this bond, as students at J.J. Pearce high school quickly mobilized in a creative way to support him. This not only reflects Mr. Le’s character but also speaks volumes about the integrity of the students at the school.

More Heartwarming Stories: Feel-Good Friday: North Carolina High School Students Construct Tiny Homes to Rebuild Their Community Post-Hurricane

The power of consistent influence is the subject of this week’s Feel-Good Friday.

J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, TX swimmers organize a swim-a-thon to benefit beloved custodian.

The power of community led to something good for a school custodian at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson ISD.

The swim team learned their custodian, Mr. Le, was sick. He’d been out for eight weeks with a healthcare issue. And, the teenagers wanted to help. In a week, they organized a swim-a-thon to raise money for him.

Despite the depictions of nefarious or drunken custodians in television and film, this position really does (and should) command respect. Just like administrative and teaching staff, custodians are highly vetted and staffed by trustworthy individuals who probably do a better job watching over your children than the principal and some of the teachers. As Mr. Le’s story shows, they also tend to have a great relationship with the student body. So much so that the students of J.J. Pearce immediately sprang into action for Mr. Le in a most innovative fashion. That’s a powerful testament not just to the caliber of Mr. Le, but the caliber of the students who populate the school. (emphasis added)

More of the Feels: Feel-Good Friday: North Carolina HS Students Build Tiny Homes to Restore Their Community After Hurricane

For more than an hour on January 16, students swam non-stop, logging more than 4,000 meters, with every lap dedicated to helping their beloved custodian, who was always there for them with a smile and a high-five.

At the end of the swim-a-thon, Mr. Le arrived at the natatorium for a huge surprise. They’d raised more than $17,000!

And there was more. Coach Eric Ewing shared the good news that they’d also gotten Mr. Le a new car and bike to help him get to work.

He’d been walking or biking an hour each way to get to work.

Mr. Le is blessed not just in the generosity of the gifts, but in the love and respect of the students, and the supportive embrace of the school community. You can’t put a price tag on that.

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Editor’s Note: At RedState, it’s not all about politics and policy. We like to bring attention to what’s good in the world, with columns like “Feel-Good Friday,” “Start Your Weekend Right,” and “Hoge’s Heroes.”

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