Photo: Today Show
A Starbucks barista out of West Virginia is getting a brand new car, thanks to her fellow coworkers.
Karen Collinsworth is a Starbucks supervisor in Huntington, West Virginia, working near the Marshall University campus. Karen's reputation for kindness has made her a campus favorite among students and her coworkers. "I love coming into work knowing that she's gonna be there," shares Cassie Gray, a sophomore at Marshall University who works at Starbucks with Karen. "I talk to her about literally everything. She's like my mom when I'm away from home and can't talk to my mom."
So when Karen's car was having some troubles, it was no surprise the entire campus came to the rescue.
"One day she came into work, and she was like, 'Yeah, somebody stole my catalytic converter last night, my car just isn't doing well," says Jaiden Horn, another sophomore at Marshall and co-worker of Karen's. Days later, her car was broken into again. Cassie, Jaiden and all the other baristas knew something had to be done.
"We all just kind of talked about it and we floated around the idea of starting a fundraiser for her," Cassie explains. "I decided to just make it because I figured even if we couldn't raise that much money, any amount would help her." That's when the GoFundMe "We Love You Karen" was born.
Their original goal of $10,000 was met within the first 24 hours, as their GoFundMe made its way around campus quickly. Since then, "We Love You Karen" has raised over $40,000!
"I was taken aback when I found out. It was very overwhelming," says Karen. "I knew these kids loved me because I love them, but for them to be 19-year old college students... They have so much going on in their life, but then to take care of their Starbucks mom."
Donations ranged from $5 to $50, but the biggest donation was $5,000 from the president of Marshall University, Brad Smith. Karen said that for her, it wasn't about how big a donation was. "All the $5 donations meant more to me than $1,000 or $3,000," Karen explains. "It was just precious coming from these college kids that can't afford a cup of coffee. Just goes to show you their kindness."
Thanks to the help of her fellow baristas and the entire campus, Karen is going car shopping soon and is thinking of buying a Subaru.
Karen, overwhelmed with happiness says, "I know those kids love me and that's what makes my life worthwhile."