Regardless of the weather or the distance, Paul Wilson will make sure low-income students in his neighbourhood arrive at their college classes on time.
A retired engineer, 76-year-old Wilson has been 1 free rides to college students for the past eight years. Since he first started 2 his car to the young people. Wilson has 3 am astonishing 64, 000 miles, and has had countless pleasant and often humorous 4 with the students he transports to and from school. The students who he's 5 have gone on to become physicians, teachers and engineers, but what they've also got out of their time in school is finding a role model and a friend in Wilson. Some students 6 call him "Grandpa".
Tina Stern 7 rides from Wilson for all her four years in college, and the trips meant much more to her than just free 8. "It's not just a ride; you're not just sitting there in 9 silence or with your headphones on." Stern said. "He asks you questions and actually 10 the answers, so the next time you ride with him, he'll 11 those things."
Wilson first worked as a driver through a student-support programme of the non-profit organisation. On Point for College. Although the 12 asks the members only to drive students to and from their classes, Wilson often goes 13 to ensure the welfare and safety of the students. If they have problems with registration.
Wilson is there to 14 them. If they run out of certain daily necessities. Wilson will drive to the nearest store and purchase what's needed. If a student gets hungry on the long drives to and from school, Wilson never 15 to buy them a meal.
For many students, Wilson's help is not only appreciated, it's also entirely 16 for them to be able to complete their college education. Some students don't have a reliable car, while others have to 17 vehicles with parents who work six days a week. For them, riding with Wilson has 18 them to complete their education — but according to Wilson, he benefits just as much from the 19. "I just love driving and I love these kids, "Wilson said. "It's such a（n） 20 to be a part of these kids' lives, even just for a few hours, getting to know them and hearing their stories."
