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