Leo Gillick
Many people come to the US in the hope of a better life for their families back home in countries where the dollar goes further. But the reality of working and living like this is often not very easy. For one man, working two jobs, it was the kindness of his community that made his time in the US much warmer and with a lot less walking.
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For Redolpho, an El Salvadorian, before he spent anything on himself, he immediately started sending the money he earned back to his wife and kids. He was able to wrangle himself a working visa in the Uni53e States. So, he spent what money he had to get there and got to work.
Redolpho had no means of transport, and so he walked to not one job, but two, every day. He would start his first shift in Chipotle, walking at 5.30 am. He would finish up there, and then double down for a second shift at Dairy Queen, starting at 3.30 pm. Every day, he would work a double shift, hiking 4 and a half miles each day.
However, he never complained, knowing that the money he sent home to his distant wife and child was drastically improving their lives. He might be working himself to the bone, but his sacrifice was worth it. Redolpho worked at least 80 hours a week and walked every day.
The Kindness of Community Saves A Worker From Walking
Emily, a co-worker of Redopho, began inviting him to her parents’ house for dinner on occasion. He was a joy to have around, and the whole family took to him. When they learned of his situation, they wanted to do something ot help.
It was Emily’s father who gave Redolpho his first set of wheels. Taking pity on the worker walking over 4 miles a day to two jobs, they gave him a gift. Emily’s dad had a bike he didn’t use, so he gave it to Redolpho. Now the man could fly from job to job in a fraction of the time. But it was still going to expose him to the elements.
Next, another gift came his way, this time in the form of a 2000s Buick. The car had seen better days, but for the double shift worker, it was a godsend that meant he didn’t have to waste time walking every day. Now, he could get around in relative comfort.
Finally, the community had one more gift. The owner of the Dairy Queen, as a show of appreciation for Redolpho, is sorting out a lawyer for him. They plan to help him bring his family across from El Salvador, so he can finally be reunited with them.
