The touching story of a waffley thoughtful kid

Eight-year-old Kayzen Hunter loves Waffle House. It’s not his regular order that has him coming back time-and-time-again, however, but his favorite waiter – Devonte Gardner.

🥞🍳 Breakfast buds: Kayzen and his family have been regulars at the local Waffle House for years. But it was only about a year ago that Kayzen met server Devonte.

• “My dad started going [to Waffle House] and Kayzen would go with him,” shared Kayzen’s mom, Vittoria. “When he came home, he talked about Devonte and how much he liked him.”

Soon enough, the Hunters began requesting Devonte each week as their server for breakfast. Not only was he their favorite waiter, but they were some of Devonte’s favorite customers, too.

• “Every time he comes in, I always give him a high five because that’s what he expects,” Devonte shared. “He’s a wonderful kid. He tells me jokes every time he comes in, like, ‘Hey, Devonte, I got a joke for you,’ and the next thing you know, we’re laughing."

💪 When the going gets tough… Devonte has two kids himself, and as he got to know the Hunters more and more, it became apparent to them that he and his family had fallen onto hard times.

After being forced to leave their home due to black mold, Devonte, his wife, and two daughters were living in a motel for $60 a night. He would walk multiple miles to work each day to support them.

💡 Then Kayzen had an idea: When the third-grader discovered all this, he begged his mom to start a GoFundMe page for Devonte. While hesitant at first, Vittoria eventually caved and set up the account per Kayzen's request. 

• Kayzen and Vittoria hoped to fundraise about $500 for their favorite waiter and friend. Before they knew it, they had hit $30,000😱.
• And unlike a caboose, the train didn't stop there: at the time of this publication, the campaign had raised over $100,000 😱😱.

🤏 Pinching himself… Devonte can’t believe the generosity of his favorite little customer. The funds have helped him and his wife purchase a car, as well as sign a lease on a two-bedroom apartment.

• “I’m gonna save the rest because I want to put my daughters in a good school," he shared. "I want them to be in a good environment. Everything I’m getting is going mostly towards my daughters to make sure they have a great, great life.”
• As far as his feelings towards Kayzen? “He’s a positive young kid. He has a very huge heart, and I’m thankful he came into my life.”