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7-year-old works at McDonald’s to buy presents for poor kids

December 23, 2016 By: Stephen Dietrich

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A 7-year-old Indiana boy has been earning money to buy Christmas toys for other children as an honorary employee at McDonald’s.

The youngster, Trenton Gardner, tells WTHI-TV that wiping tables at the fast food restaurant in Bicknell, Indiana, is the “coolest job” he’s ever done. His mother, Lindsey Gardner, says her son’s inspiration came from learning some children’s families couldn’t afford toys.

He wanted to earn money so he could help. It took time to convince McDonald’s general manager Rhonda Butler. She says the boy was so determined she made him an honorary employee and gave him his own apron, name tag and hat. The restaurant donated toys to his effort.

Earlier this week, the 7-year-old and his family dropped off a truckload of toys to a local charity.

The Associated Press contributed to this article. 

About the Author

Stephen Dietrich

Stephen is a U.S. Army veteran with over a decade of combined experience in political commentary, economics, and news.

Comments

  1. Lori says

    December 23, 2016 at 10:51 am

    So glad to see this restaurant help out in such a real way! Great kid, too!

    • Mae says

      December 23, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      Don’t be surprised when she gets into trouble for allowing an underaged person to ‘work’ in her business without all the state and federal ‘necessaries’ like Workers Comp Insurance, state and Government Taxes, etc for the boy !
      There was a time when we could hire a person of this age to cut the lawn, do cleanups around the property etc but with today’s billions of law so that the government can get their share – the government frowns on this sort of kindness thing……

      • Mike Aijlman says

        December 23, 2016 at 3:55 pm

        I agree a hundred percent with your sentiment Mae, but I’m optimistic enough with the election of Trump, that these ridiculous
        & frivolous laws will be dismissed & relegated to history. In fact, that was one of his promises, to rid the nation of over- regulation, & I’m confident it pertains to absurd laws that keep our children from learning to become responsible.

  2. Parrot Mom says

    December 23, 2016 at 11:03 am

    A 7 year old can work but adult, fully capable SNAP (Food Stamp) recipients are unable to support their self. Just not normal for a real American. Guess living in mommy’s basement is Real Cool!!!

  3. DWB says

    December 23, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Thumbs up for a good boy and hope he has a bright future and the parents should be very proud of him. A thank you to McDonald’s general manager Rhonda Butler.

  4. Donna says

    December 23, 2016 at 11:48 am

    It is great to see a child with such thoughtfulness for others and willing to work to make it happen instead of just asking for a donation. We as adults need to follow this fine example of caring for others

  5. Ron says

    December 23, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    I am surprised that there hasn’t been a s**t-storm from the wacko left over this, since it was covered by AP. I hope McDonald’s and the local restaurant and manager have covered their collective rear-ends over the potential legal issues. It would be a serious injustice to harass them (and Trenton). He is a true entrepreneur with a servant’s heart, and he will go places.

    • Jammer says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:24 pm

      Just wait, it is coming. The greedy dictatorial government, and the wackos are crawling out from under their rocks.

  6. William 5 says

    December 23, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    I know there is a dumbass out there thinking how I can make a buck off this because the child is under age

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