In October 2021, the residents of Tappahannock, Virginia, came together to assist a fellow community member, exemplifying what it means to be a genuine, compassionate person.
A few of them had been regulars at a nearby fast-food joint and were accustomed to seeing one of the senior employees there virtually every day.
Lisa Bateman, a drive-through worker, was always prepared for work with a grin on her face and a kind greeting for each of her customers.
The neighborhood loved and admired Bateman for making an everyday experience spectacular by always remembering her clients and their requests. Simply by hearing their voices over the drive-thru intercom, she was able to identify them.
Two regular patrons of the fast food joint who had grown accustomed to seeing Bateman and had always liked her company — even if it was just for a short while — were Jason Cunningham and Jaki Vazquez.
They knew they wanted to do something special to express how much they loved for the 60-year-old woman when they learned that she walked one mile to work every day down Tappahannock Boulevard.
The neighborhood created a GoFundMe page for Bateman in the hopes that they could gather enough money to support her and ensure she never again had to walk to work through the unpredictable weather. The senior employee started crying when she realized how surprised she had been. Continue reading to learn more about this touching tale.
Fast-food worker walks 7 miles to job each day so customers show ‘appreciation’ by buying her a car
Customers at the Tappahannock Burger King were accustomed to seeing Bateman working the drive-thru window with a constant smile on her face. Cunningham told WTVR, “You walk through the drive-thru at any given moment and she’s just as kind.”
According to WTVR, Bateman has been a fast-food employee since 1987 and reportedly enjoys her profession.
But for seven years, she had to travel a mile to go to work. After being fired from a second job, Bateman lost her automobile, yet she never lost her optimistic outlook.
I frequently see her walking, so I thought it would be good to do something like this for someone in our neighborhood, said Cunningham.
The neighborhood established a GoFundMe page for Bateman and gave her little over $4,200.
In less than two weeks, 135 people donated, according to WTVR. The funds were used to purchase a new vehicle for Bateman, and the neighborhood made sure to give her any spare change to assist cover the cost of the vehicle’s insurance.
After Bateman’s shift one day in October 2021, they presented her with a low-mileage maroon 2007 Buick.
As she gave Bateman the keys to her new car, Vazquez said, “We as a town of Tappahannock wanted to present you a little bit of thanks for your hard work, for always bringing us positive energy.”
Immediately, Bateman was overcome with grief and sobbed, “Oh my God! Thank you a lot! It was a touching exchange between the employee and her devoted clients. In less than two weeks, a small community was able to raise all of this money, according to Vazquez. “It just proves she is valued.”
