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Man collects 33 ‘junk’ cars then turns around and gives them away to people in the community
No one thought he’d turn around and put the cars back out on the streets but that’s exactly what he did.
Rebecca Reid
07.30.21

Eliot Middleton of McClellanville, SC is a one-of-a-kind, small-town hero.

When he isn’t spending his days running his BBQ restaurant, Middleton & Maker Village BBQ, Eliot is fixing up cars that others have given up on. He then turns around and gives them away for free to people in need.

YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News

“There is no public transportation, there’s no UBER, there’s no taxis or nothing like that.” – Eliot Middleton

If you don’t have a car in this area Middleton says ‘you walk.’ This just didn’t sit well with Eliot. He started asking the public for donations of old cars. His yard started to look like a junkyard but he didn’t mind. He knew the cars would end up being someone else’s dream come true.

YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News

“You have a car that you think needs to go to the junkyard, contact me first.” – Eliot Middleton

The 38-year-old knows how people in rural areas have a harder time getting around and he wanted to make life easier for them. He surprises them with the car keys and sometimes he says, “Folks don’t even believe it.”

YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News

Middleton’s goodwill efforts have helped so many people in his community.

Eliot gave a car away recently to a single mom who had no other transportation. She responded immediately with, “This is a life-savor.

YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News

Eliot’s father, he said, taught him all about cars and caring for others.

He was inspired to give back to his community in a big way. And he certainly did just that.

YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News

Since the original video was posted highlighting Eliot’s selfless acts, it has been viewed over 2.3 million times.

It’s safe to say that Eliot has made an impact on all of us. Donations started flooding in to support his efforts. A fundraiser that Middleton set up online to help offset the costs of the car repairs has raised over $125,000. The car donations also came pouring in from all over the country.

YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News

“We have recorded close to 800 vehicles donated across the nation.” – Eliot Middleton

He told CBS Evening News that he never would have imagined something like this happening in his lifetime.

“Whatever glowing feeling is inside me it just transferred from that TV screen and just went inside them” – Eliot Middleton

YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News

“It’s soul-soothing. Just thank you all for the support. You got my back and I’m gonna make sure to show you guys..we can do this.” – Eliot Middleton told CBS Evening News

Middleton has high hopes for his Foundation – The Middleton Village to Village Foundation. He told Good Morning America that he hopes to help repair cars for people all over South Carolina and maybe even in rural areas all over the country.

YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube screenshot - CBS Evening News

“If you can just fix one problem to somebody it gives them hope,” Middleton said to GMA. “Don’t think that something that you do, don’t think it won’t affect someone in a great way. Because the small things is what adds up. So just do whatever you can.” – Eliot Middleton

goodmorningamerica.com
Source:
goodmorningamerica.com

Now watch this inspiring video of Eliot Middleton’s mission to help people in need.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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