As the pandemic continues, many families find themselves in increasingly difficult financial positions. Now, one high school principal is making a huge effort to help students in need.
What We Know:
- Henry Darby, principal at North Charleston High School in South Carolina, has been increasingly compelled to do whatever it takes to help his students succeed. Recently, Darby has picked up a part-time job at a local Walmart and donates his paycheck to those in need.
- According to ABC News, Darby works as a high school principal all school year but spends three nights a week stocking shelves from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. at Walmart. When he started fundraising last summer, Darby initially intended to keep the project as private as possible until his students caught him on his first day of work.
“Someone yelled, ‘Hey Mr. Darby, you’re working for Walmart? Aren’t you the principal?’ And it blew me out of the water, so at that time, I said, ‘That’s it, I’ll just do what I need,'” he recalled.
- Henry Darby has always been supportive of his community. When asked why he began working at Walmart, he says, “A couple of years ago, I had two students, who were females, sleeping under the bridge. There was another situation where a former student of mine and her daughter were sleeping in their car, and another situation where a former student needed funds for her water and light bills […] I was taught if your hands find something to do, do it. So I came to myself and said, ‘Perhaps I need another job in terms of part-time.”
- The former Charleston County councilman has now garnered national attention and received thousands of dollars in donations. Last week, a GoFundMe campaign was created to help the principal crowdfund for those in need. The campaign goal of $20,000 was reached within 48 hours. Now, the campaign reached over $160,000 and continues to grow from donors around the world. Walmart has also stepped in and donated an additional $50,000 to North Charleston High School.
It’s no secret that Principal Darby can take on a number of roles. Now, people refer to him as the community’s guardian angel.
