Sixteen miles a day.
That’s what Kyle Bigler was walking every day between his two minimum-wage jobs.
Bigler works at a Dunkin Donuts and a Big Apple in Belmont, New Hampshire, and typically works 20-hour shifts every Sunday and Monday, bouncing from one job to another.
But thanks to one kindhearted customer, Bigler’s not walking anymore. After a Facebook post from Joanna Griffiths that lauded Bigler’s work ethic went viral recently, strangers reached out to Bigler with job offers and even a car.
“When I wrote the original post, I never expected anything like this to happen,” Griffiths tells PEOPLE. “I just wanted people to know that everyone struggles in life, all that matters is how you respond to the struggle and persevere.”
“He really touched my heart because he never once complained,” Griffiths continues. “He is so kind, humble and happy. I was very emotional when they gave him the keys to his car. I am just so grateful that the positive message got as much recognition as it did.”
Griffiths says she was grateful to be there the day Bigler was gifted with his new car.
“I thought we probably have a couple cars here that we could just donate to him so he doesn’t have to walk 20 miles a day,” Ryan Parks, the sales manager at the nearby Autoservtold NH1.
Bigler said he works both jobs full-time but only makes minimum wage at each, so he is doing everything he can to pay his bills and see his son, who lives four hours away.
Griffiths adds, “If people are willing and able to look past someone’s appearance, you would see that there is good inside everyone. It just takes someone to notice.”