Imagine a group of college students, united by a heartwarming mission, surprising their beloved security guard with the gift of a lifetime.
This is exactly what happened at Providence College in Rhode Island, where students living on the fourth floor of Raymond Hall formed a bond akin to a “family,” as they told ABC affiliate WLNE.
Central to this family is James Mogaji, the residence hall security officer at Raymond Hall.
His warm presence has made him an integral part of the students’ lives, so much so that they consider him one of their own.
The story took a touching turn when the students discovered that Mogaji hadn’t seen his family in Nigeria for over a decade.
Freshman Brandon Reichert shared with WLNE, “Once we learned that James hadn’t seen his family in over a decade, that’s what kickstarted this for us. We take care of our own and we firmly believe that James is one of our own.”
This revelation sparked a heartfelt initiative among the students.
Sophomore Daniel Singh described Mogaji as a magnetic figure in their residence hall.
“He is someone that you are drawn towards. He is really kind and compassionate,” Singh said.
“After a long day, you go out on a Friday night after class and you come back, James is there.”
Fueled by compassion, the students launched a fundraiser on February 29.
Their efforts were met with overwhelming support, receiving nearly 800 donations and surpassing their original goal of $3,500.
The moment of surprise came on March 6.
The students gathered around Mogaji, presenting him with an envelope containing $3,000 to help cover his travel expenses to Nigeria.
The scene was heartwarming: as Danny, a Raymond Hall resident assistant, delivered a speech, Mogaji was visibly moved, covering his face with his hands and falling to his knees in shock.
“You told us a while ago that you wanted to see your family in Nigeria, which you haven’t seen in a long time, so we came together,” Danny said, capturing the essence of their collective effort.
“We take care of our own. That’s what we do at PC,” he added, as another student handed Mogaji the envelope, affirming, “We love you. You’re part of the family.”
This act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed.
Providence College President Father Kenneth R. Sicard told “Good Morning America,” “The extremely considerate action of our students in Raymond Hall is generous and heartwarming, but it is certainly not surprising. Our campus community has a long history of care and concern for one another, and this is just the latest example. It makes us all proud to call ourselves Friars.”
The students’ gesture has not only touched hearts but also made a dream come true.
According to the Raymond Hall residents, Mogaji is planning his much-awaited trip to Nigeria in June, a journey made possible by the kindness and unity of a college community that truly embodies the spirit of family.
To watch the touching moment when Mogaji was blindsided watch the video below.
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