University of Central Florida student Joshua Gicker surprised Maurice, a UCF shuttle driver, in person for his birthday to show appreciation towards the enthusiasm Maurice has given students day-over-day.
Maurice’s birthday was on Sunday, Valentine’s Day, also the day when Gicker made a post on his apartment student living page telling his fellow residents about the how driver has impacted students.
“[Maurice] is easily one of the most kind individuals I have ever met. He doesn’t care what you look like or who you are, he always has a smile for you,” the student said on a YouTube post. “I watched tons of college students come together to give back to this man who goes above and beyond in his job every day.”
Over the holiday, Gicker and his peers at Plaza on University raised $450 for the UCF and company employee.
“His birthday was this past Sunday,” Joshua said to Knight News, learning last Thursday. “Upon finding out, I made one Facebook post on my apartment page and with the help of countless others we raised 450 dollars for him.”
Over 376 people came together for Maurice on his birthday to return the smiles and kindness he gave to students.
“You deserve all of this and more – happy birthday,” read a note from another student to the driver.
Maurice also wished his company and the university could share in the outpouring of support seen from his student friends. He takes care of Route 14 for students.
“This is so great, I’m going to go through every one of these,” the driver said on the list of people that came together for him. “This is so nice, you guys are so great – you guys are the greatest and I’m just so overwhelmed!”
“I want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for letting me be the guy that I am with you guys – waking you up in the morning, getting you started and sharing something that you might need and [today] you guys gave it back, you gave that love back.”
Joshua continued.
“Basically this man lives every day like it is his last. Maurice turns and acknowledges everyone that walks on the bus and makes every bus ride an experience, whether it’s being goofy on the microphone or singing. He makes everyone feel like an individual and special for an even 5-minute ride.”
“I am a transfer student from Tampa and this past semester was my first one here at UCF and Maurice was one of my first friends. If everyone lived like Maurice, I really believe there would be no problems in this world,” Gicker added.
“I will never forget this moment.”
Joshua would like to thank Megan McCarthy for her help in donations, which rose to one hundred dollars a day over the weekend.
The video – UCF Shuttle Driver Birthday Surprise – is available below on YouTube.
