Preston Bowman has ridden the bus to school since he was in kindergarten, but the 14-year-old says bus driver Augustine Val’s rides were a “huge part of why I loved middle school.” So when he saw actress Kristen Bell’s post on Instagram about a contest from the VING project, a charity that encourages teens to support those who could use a little help in their community, he knew he wanted to nominate Val.
The teen submitted Val’s name and he became one of their $1,000 winners. Val, a father of four from Haiti, has been a bus driver for 15 years, but he was out of a job since the pandemic hit in March. And when he saw the giant check Bowman was holding at a surprise gathering, he was speechless and thankful.
"This job isn't one you make a lot of money in, but I enjoy doing it because of the students," Val says. "I treat all the kids like they're my own, but Preston is very special to me because of the way he behaves and treats me."
If you'd like to nominate someone to the VING project, TEENAGERS - Send a 2 minute or less, selfie-styled video to INFO@VINGProject.org and be sure to put Kristen Bell in the subject line to nominate someone who really could use the $1,000.
Source: Good Morning America