Two Louisiana grade school football players dreamed big to help get their beloved football coach a new ride.
Gunnar Wirtz and Trevor Jeffrey, both eighth-graders at Lafayette Christian Academy noticed Coach Skip Babineaux's car wasn't reliable. Babineaux was driving a late 90's SUV that had several problems, including with the air conditioning.
"They used to hear me down the road and would say I bet that's Coach Skip. I come around the corner, two wheels. Oh yeah, that's Coach Skip," Babineaux said.
Though they're not yet in high school, Gunnar and Trevor were on a mission. They created a GoFundMe, asked for donations from family and friends and put in a lot of hard work in their spare time.
"We cut grass, pulled weeds, all kinds of stuff like that," Trevor said.
In a matter of three weeks, the students raised more than $12,000 to get their coach a new car.
With some help, the students turned to Sterling Automotive. The dealership cut a deal to make sure Coach Skip had a reliable ride.
"They helped us pick it out to see what's better for him and what would be best for his family," Gunnar said.
Babineaux never imagined the whole school and his family could hide a surprise like this.
"I turned around and silver bullet. I know I'm the only Coach Skip. So, I know, it's either a rental or it's mine, but they ain't going to put a bow on a rental," Babineaux said.
"All I did was be a coach. Every day at school, I see them. If they're having a bad day, I try to talk to them and show them the right way," Babineaux said. "For them to think of me that way, it's a blessing. It's really a blessing, and I appreciate it. It only comes from above."
This story was originally published by Chris Welty on KATC in Lafayette, Louisiana.
