A Polk County school paraprofessional who was walking six miles to work was presented with a car Tuesday by a Lakeland dealership after being chosen from about a hundred nominees.
- Polk Schools employee was walking 6 miles to work
- Sue Campbell specializes in special needs for Polk Schools
- Spessard Holland Elementary nominated her for car giveaway
- She was presented with new Chevrolet Aveo on Tuesday
Sue Campbell works with special needs students at Spessard Holland Elementary in Bartow. The school said she is very dedicated to her job and doesn't miss work. She comes in early, works late and loves her students, officials said.
But about two years ago, Campbell’s old car broke down for good, leaving her to walk six miles to work.
“I was too ashamed to let people know about my predicament,” she said.
Teacher Leslie Newberry saw Campbell walking one day and got her to tell her what was happening. Newberry started giving rides to Campbell.
"It was too far to walk," Newberry said. "It would take a couple of hours to walk home, so I gave her a ride home, and that was the beginning of our really good friendship."
The school nominated Campbell for the Regal Lakeland car giveaway, which selected her.
In front of students and school staff members Tuesday morning, Campbell was presented with the Chevrolet Aveo at the school.
"I am so fortunate,” Campbell said. “I really am and all my friends and I just can't believe it. This is wonderful. It really is."
Spessard Holland Elementary staff members also pitched in to buy Campbell hundreds of dollars in gift cards to pay for gas and oil changes.