A high school senior from Buffalo, NY, who cleaned up a neighbourhood for 10 hours after protests in his hometown receives a car, insurance and full university scholarship as a ‘Thank You’.
Teen That Cleaned Neighbourhood for 10 Hours After Protest Receives Rewards from Community
A high school senior from Buffalo, NY, dismayed to see the damage caused by protests in his hometown, didn’t waste a minute on worry. Instead, the teen began cleaning it up—starting at 2am and continuing for 10 straight hours. Now the local community has recognised his actions and is handsomely rewarding the public-spirited young man for his good deed.
Teen hopes would make his late mom proud
At two o’clock in the morning, Antonio Gwynn Jr. was watching Facebook Live streams of police activity on Bailey Avenue in Buffalo, NY. The 18-year-old Hutch Tech senior was struck by the amount the violence and destruction.
“I felt disgusted. My nerves were bad. They’re destroying a city that could actually be very beautiful,” Gwynn told WKBW.
The teen got out of bed and dressed because, he said, he knew he had to do something.
“I went bought some trash bags grabbed my broom and my dustpan and I just started here,” said Gwynn, “It was just me by myself. I just started riding up and down Bailey to see where stuff was destroyed so I can clean it up.”
Local resident Kalah Bishop organised a group to come help out with the cleanup. When they arrived in the morning at 10, they found the majority of the mess taken care of, and Antonio hard at work a full eight hours after he initially started cleaning.
“To know that an 18-year-old had it in his heart to come out here at two in the morning and clean up… and to be honest, he kind of risked his life to do it. That’s amazing,” Bishop said.
“I wanted to clean because I’m always cleaning at my house so why can’t I just help the city stay clean?” said Antonio.
It’s something he said he hopes would make his late mom proud. She passed away in 2018.
“It’s something that she would do probably because I mainly try to be just like her or something similar because I don’t want to be a follower. I want to lead sometimes also,” Gwynn said.
“A lot of people should take insight on him doing that and be more like Antonio,” said Bishop.
Below: How the community have rallied to reward Antonio for his good deed.
Source: WKBW-TV
Teen who cleaned neighbourhood given full scholarship, car and insurance
Matt Block’s 2004 red convertible Mustang is his pride and joy. But after seeing 7 Eyewitness News story on the 18-year-old Hutch Tech student who spent around 10 hours cleaning up Bailey Avenue in Buffalo after the violence Monday night he’s giving the car to Antonio Gwynn.
“I couldn’t come to grips with selling it and this was a good way for me to get rid of it and know someone that gets it is going to appreciate it,” Block told WKBW.
“The car he sent me a picture of was the same exact car that my mom first got me. It’s the same color, same everything,” said Gwynn.
Bob Briceland from Briceland Insurance Agency will be covering Gwynn’s insurance for one year.
“I just felt compelled to help him out. We just need to get together our whole city and show people how there’s so many good people here,” said Briceland.
Gwynn said he has been offered a full ride to Medaille College.
“I literally stopped, pulled over, and started crying. So did my great aunt. My little cousin did also,” said Gwynn.
His original plan was to go to a trade school and save up for college. Now, he can complete that goal right away by studying business and studying mechanics on the side. This way one day he can start his own repair shop.
“I always wanted to be someone to help everyone with their car problems. This is a great opportunity I have right in front of me,” said Gwynn.
Gwynn said he plans to continue paying it forward.
“I’ve been mainly been helping all my family that has been there for me, like my great aunt. I spoiled her. I helped pay her rent and I got her the same phone I have,” Gwynn said.
Source: WKBW-TV
Medaille College in Buffalo offered Antonio a full scholarship where he plans to study business
After high school, Gwynn had planned to go to trade school while saving up to go to college. Upon hearing Gwynn’s story, Medaille College in Buffalo offered him a full scholarship where he plans to study business starting this fall. One of his many career goals is to open a cleaning business.
This is the first time Gwynn received this type of recognition for his good deeds, however according to CNN this is not the first time he stepped up to help others. He is a member of Kappa Phi where he enjoys doing community service, and he helps out at churches.
Gwynn is thankful for the community response, telling CNN, "I appreciate everything everyone is doing for me."
WANT TO HELP ANTONIO AS HE STARTS UNIVERSITY?
Antonio had been hoping to attend college in the fall, and a GoFundMe campaign was set-up by Sweet Buffalo Rocks to help make his college dreams become reality. Now he has a full scholarship and will be attending for sure. The GoFundMe page was closed after reaching its goal, but if you would still like to help Antonio out, you can donate here.