Radio DJ Raises Money for Man Walking Three Hours Each Way to Work

By Darby Jones July 20, 2021

Chicago radio personality Ray Stevens helped raise money to fix a broken-down truck for a man after learning he was walking three hours to and from work each day.

Local radio personality Ray “Ramblin’ Ray” Stevens was driving when he passed 20-year-old Braxton Mayes several times, and noticed he was walking for an extended period of time. When Stevens stopped to offer Mayes a ride, he learned the story of the former high school football player.

Mayes said his 2006 GMC truck recently broke down, so he was walking 12 miles and three hours each way to work. He would leave for work at 4 a.m. in order to arrive at work by 7 a.m.

“This guy checks all the boxes,” Stevens told WLS-TV. “He’s a good, solid human being. People are having a hard time finding people to work and here’s a guy walking three hours one way just because his truck broke down.”

After learning the story, Stevens created a GoFundMe to help fix Mayes’ truck which has already earned more than $10,000. Any additional money made will be donated to local Chicago food banks.

Mayes told WLS-TV that he was raised with a strong work ethic and was perfectly fine walking to work each day, but the generosity of others brought him to tears. “I didn’t know when I would come up with the money to fix it or how many times I would have to walk,” said Mayes.

The truck repairs will be completed soon, but Mayes’ employer will give him a ride until then.

Image source: Ramblin Ray Stevens